Three RiversHudson~Mohawk~SchoharieHistory From America's Most Famous Valleys

The
Frontiersmen of New Yorkby
Jeptha R. SimmsAlbany, NY 1883

Volume II, Page 10

The
Tryon County Committee.--Among its members, honored as its chairman, was
Samuel Clyde of Cherry Valley, afterwards known as Colonel Clyde, as is shown
by the follwoing paper:

TRYON
COUNTY COMMITTEE CHAMBER , April7, 2d, 1777.
SIR.-You are hereby requested to meet and appear on Saturday next, at ten
o'clock, at the house of Phillip W. Fox, with your rangers, in order to sign
and swear to the new association, then and there to be laid before them.
" By order,
"SAM'L CLYDE, Chairman.

"To
CAPT. CHRISTIAN GETTMAN."Designs of the Foe.-The enemy having matured his plans during the winter,
began to move early in the summer of 1777, and expected to make an easy conquest
of the whole colony of New York. Gen. Burgoyne left Crown Point with such
an army as he had vauntingly declared in the British Parliament, he could
lead from Maine to Georgia, and with it one of the best trains of artillery
ever yet seen in America. He was to push his way to Albany along the Hudson.
Col. St. Leger, with a large body of British, tories and Indians, left Oswego
at the same time, intending to pillage the beautiful valley of the Mohawk,
and rest himself after his work of destruction, at Albany. Sir Henry Clinton,
whose well fed troops had been basking in some of the smiles and some of the
frowns of the New York fair, after doing what mischief he pleased along the
romantic shores of the Hudson, was to offer his services and compliments in
person to the citixens of Albany. And lastly, Capt. McDonald, a noted tory
leader-a Scotchman who had been living for a time on Charlotte river, with
a body of royalists and Indians, was making his way down through the Schoharie
settlements, intending to meet the trio already named, and revel with them
in " the beauty and booty " of Albany.

This
was a most trying time for New York. To meet and repel the several attacks,
appeared to some of tlie most patriotic a matter of impossibility-but with
a firm reliance on the God of battles for success, they buckled on their armor,
and resolved to try. Most of the published accounts erroneously make the irruption
of McDonald and his legions at a latter date.

The
Schoharie Settlements.-Let us look at the condition of things at tliat
period in those settlements, then mostly situated in Albany enmity. Some of
the Schoharie militia were called into service on several occasions in the
latter part of the year 1770, and early part of 1777. Mattice Ball said he
was under Capt. Hager in the enterprise which Judge Swart alludes to, as having
taken place in the spring of 1777. The party were volunteers, and proceeded
to Loonenburg, now Athens, to arrest Col. James Huetson, who was marshaling
tories. They were in search of him for thirteen days, a part of which time
they levied a tax upon his poultry yard, and ate up his chickens. After securing
him and some twenty genial spirits, they delivered them to the military department
at Albany for safe keeping. Huetson was afterwards hung.

At the suggestion of the State committee, Col. Harper, accompanied by a white
man and an Indian, February 17, 1777, visited Oquago to look after Indian
affairs. The object of his mission was, to keep the Indians in a neutral condition
in the coming contest. March 10, from Cherry Valley, he reported his success
to that committee. He distributed some presents, purchased an ox to feast
them on ; incurring altogether an expense of £29.01.6, which bill was
ordered canceled.*

Brant and Tice Wanted by State Committee.-The State Committee of Safety,
looked upon the Indian, Joseph Brant, acting in the interest of the loyalists
of Central New York, as being a dangerous man, owing to the influence he was
exerting upon the Orange Indians ; and on February 9, 1777, that body passed
the following resolution.+

" Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Committee, that it will
be of great service to the American cause, to apprehend the said Joseph Brant,
and also one Gilbert Fice ("ice)++ who this committee are informed, accompanies
him-that no cost or labor should be spared to obtain that end-and that Mr.
John Harper, of the county of Tryon, be recommended to Gen. Schuyler, as a
proper person to be immediately supplied with a sufficient
party, if necessary, for that service, he being according to good information,
well acquainted at the Oncoghquage castle, and strongly attached to the American
cause."

In the next day's proceedings of the State committee, is the following entry:
"The committee appointed to confer with* Prov. Jour., vol. I, p. 880.
+ Journal of New York Committee of Safety, p. 800.
++ Gilbert Tice, was it former prominent citizen of Johnstown, and waa a witness
to the will of Sir William Johnson. He left that place and went to Canada
with the Johnson family.

Mr.
John Harper, messenger from the chiefs of the Oncoghquaga Indians, on the
subject of the message from those Indians to convention, reported," by
an address, which assured them they should not be defrauded of their lands
by Croghan or any one else, and with the following resolution, which shows
that they also demanded gun-powder :

Resolved,
That 100 weight of gun-powder be presented to the Indians residing at Oncoghquaga
and its neighborhood, in the county of Tryon, and that Mr. John R. Livingston
be required to deliver that quantity to Mr. John Harper, out of the powder
at his works belonging to the State." *

Brant
and Tice were not arrested, but it is quite probable the Indians got the powder
and used it in the interest of the enemy. Thus we see every pains were taken
to keep the Indians from espousing the British interest, but without avail.

I
have remarked briefly, that members of families in Schoharie were found entertaining
different opinions respecting the beligerent attitude of England and her colonies,
and consequently in hostile array. Capt. Jacob Ball, mentioned as the brother
of Johannes Ball, raised a company of 63 royalists at the Beaverdam and in
Duanesburg, and went to Canada, accompanied by several relatives. George Mann,
another captain of militia to whom we have alluded, on being ordered out with
his company to oppose the enemy, openly declared himself friendly to the royal
power. Adam Crysler and his brother, with several other individuals of influence,
residing in the south part of the Schoharie settlement, also sided with royalty.
The example of several respectable officers and other individuals of reputation,
augured no good for the welfare of the community, as the prudent knew full
well that a " house divided against itself," like Franklin's empty
bag, " could not stand alone."

Oneida
Indians Visit Boston.-In March 1777, a deputation of six Oneidas with
Rev. Samuel Kirkland, a missionary to their nation-who was, no doubt, mainly
instrumental to their remaining in the interest of the colonies-visited the
New England Slates, going as far as Boston ; on their return they also visited
Uyn. Washington at his camp, after which five of the Indians went on to their
homea. "Kayendalongwea, one of the principal* Journal of New York Committee, p. 803.

chiefs,
and Mr. Kirkland stopping at Kingston, N. Y., where the Provincial Convention
was in session. This enterprise was originated, to have those men see and
carry back to their people, some evidence of the relative strength of the
young republic and its preparation for war ; the greater part of the Six Nations
having already been made to believe that the Americans could be subdued very
easily. They went east with a passport from Gen. Schuyler, Douw and Edwards,
three of the commissioners for Indian affairs, and returned home with a passport
from Gen. Washington. Gen. Tenbroeck, then president of the convention, addressed
the sachem through Mr. Kirkland, as interpreter, and here is a part of his
address:

"Brother,
we commend the wisdom of your nation in deputing you to repair to our Chief
Warrior, and see the situation of affairs. We hope you will now be enabled
to contradict those false reports concerning the enemy's strength and our
weakness, which their wicked emissaries have artfully attempted to diffuse
through the Indian nations.

"
Brother, we wish you a good journey. Assure our brothers, the Oneidas, and
the rest of the Six Nations, of our friendship, and accept this acknowledgment
of the regard we have for you and our brethren of your company." The
convention had given them $100 to defray their expenses.

An
Indian Speech.-Cayendalongwea, replied in a pretty speech of some
length. Indian speeches are usually in short paragraphs. After rounding several
sentences, in one of which he said : " We are all well pleased with what
we have seen, particularly the Chief Warrior (Washington), whom we look on
as our brother." He closed as follows:

"
Brothers, In all our travels the voice of my party has been, that the King
of Great Britain has spread lies through the Six Nations. Your people, or
the superintendent of Albany, have not told us one lie. They told us he had
possessed the whole sea cost. We find it not true. We are well pleased with
what we have seen. We have not seen one spot on which he has set his foot.
We have seen many places you have taken from him. Our country is in a different
situation. There is an enemy tothe westward ; it is therefore necessary for
me to return home without delay, and inform the Six Nations of what we have
seen and know.

"
Brothers, you have given us assistance to travel on the road ; we thank you,
brethren, for your kindness. We must inform you that we have, in our journey,
been everywhere well treated. We have lived in plenty, and been frequently
carried above ground, which is not so common to us warriors. We shall faithfully
represent to the Six Nations, the state of affairs as we liave seen and heard
them."

Joseph
Brant was not only not arrested, but continued to exert all his energies to
keep the Schoharie, Susquehanna and other Indians, clans of the Mohawks, in
the British interest, and as appears by an affidavit of William Johnston,
Jr., made July 16, 1777, which I find on the journal of the New York council
of safety, he had, as early as June 2d, with some 80 warriors, commenced marauding
on the settlements at Unadilla, by appropriating their cattle, sheep and swine
to his own benefit.

Gen.
Herkimer goes to Unadilla.-To obtain satisfaction for those cattle, and,
if possible, get the Indians to remain neutral in the approaching contest,
in the latter part of June, 1777, Gen. Herkimer, with a body of the Tryon
county militia, proceeded to Unadilla, an Indian settlement on the Susquehanna,
to hold an interview with Brant. That celebrated chief, then at Oquago, was
sent for by Gen. Herkimer, and arrived on the 7th, after the Americans had
been there about eight days in waiting.

On
the same day that Johnaton made his affidavit, two letters were received by
the council from Tryon county, one from the committee at Harpersfield, one
of the extreme S. W. settlements of Tryon, dated the 4th instant, and the
other from Wm. Harper, Esq., dated four days after, informing that body of
their apprehensions of the Indians and praying for protection.

Colonel
John Harper, who attended Gen. Herkimer at this time, also made an affidavit
on the 16th of July following the interview, showing the principal grievances
of which the Indians complained, as also the fact that they were in covenant
with the king, wfiose belts were yet lodged among them, and whose service
they intended to enter. The instrument farther testified, that Brant, instead
of returning to Oswego, as he informed Gen. Herkimer was his intention ; had
remained in the neighborhood, on the withdrawal of the American militia, and
was preparing to destroy the frontier settlement.

Harper's
Statement.-As this sworn statement of Col. Harper gives the most circumstantial
account of this attempt, one of the last of our State authorities, to wean
the Indians from the British interest into a state of neutrality ; it may
be well here to give a synopsis of it, as Gen. Herkimer was mortally wounded
only 21 days after Harper's account of this meeting was given in. Said Col.
Harper, the interview between Herkimer and Brant took place in his presence
June 27, 1777. Gen. Herkimer had with him about 380 militiamen of the county,
and met Joseph Brant at a place called Unadilla, on the Susquehanna, to demand
the reason why he had taken cattle from the people of that place-of course
surreptitiously. Brant had several chief warriors with him. Herkimer delivered
his speech tending to peace with all the Indian nations. Brant replied he
was thankful the General was peaceably disposed, but as they were hungry they
could not speak until they had eaten. He and his chiefs then went away to
refresh themselves, and returned with about 137 warriors. He thought by the
numbers attending Herkimer, he was disposed for war, and if so, he was ready
for him--said there were some things which kept the Six Nations uneasy.Fac Simile of
his Autograph.

Brant's
reasons assigned for this, were--first, that the Mohawks were confined, and
had not the liberty of passing back and forth as formerly; second, their minister,
Mr. Stewart, had not liberty to pass and repass, as formerly, to carry on
their religious worship: third, that forts were built in Indian territory
and on their lands; that these were the only matters of consequence which
made the minds of the Six Nations uneasy, and appeared as if designed against
them, and that if these were rectified it would give their minds ease. These
were -flimsy reasons, for they had placed themselves in the category tomplained
of, by leaving the Mohawk valley with the loyal Johnson party. If Mr. Stewart
had gone to the Canajoharie Castle to preach, there were few Indians remaining
there to hear him.

The
statement continued: Gen. Herkimer asked if they would be peaceable, and do
nothing against the country, if these things were rectified? Brant threw off
his disguise, and replied: That the Indians were already in covenant with
the King, as their fathers had been; that the King's belts were lodged among
them, that they could not be such great scoundrels as to falsify their pledges
of trust; that the General and his party had joined the Boston people against
the King, and that although the Boston people were resolute, the King would
humble them; that Gen. Schuyler had been very smart on the Indians at the
treaty at the German Flats, and threatened them if they should join the King's
party, and, at the same time, could not put linen shirts on their backs; that
the Indians were not to be scared by Mr. Schuyler's threats; that the Indians
had formerly made war with the white people, when both the King and country
were together, and since they were opposed to each other, the Indians were
not to be frightened.

After
Brant had declared they would adhere faithfully to the King, Col. Cox said
if that was their resolution, there need be no further inquiry, as the matter
was settled. Brant then turned and spoke to his warriors, and they shouted
and ran to their camp for their arms; that in their camp, a mile away, they
fired a number of guns, and gave the war whoop; that Gen. Herkimer told Brant
he did not come there to fight, and he must keep his warriors at their camp;
that Brant's speaker arose, and, in a threatening posture told Herkimer they
were ready to come to action; that he proposed Mr. Stewart should have leave
to go to the Upper Mohawk Castle, that the people of Unadilla should be permitted
to remain at home as subjects of the King ; that they had been obliged to
take an oath of allegiance to the States, contrary to their consciences; that
Gen. Herkimer told him his party came after tories and deserers, and required
Brant to give up those under his protection; that he refused to give up either,
and insisted they should remain in possession of their places, and subject
only to their King ; that Gen. Herkimer agreed to his proposals; that Brant
then said his warriors would go away, and he must go to Oswego to meet Col.
Butler; that Brant next day put the tories in possession of their places;
that Herkimer and his party then came away. He further stated that he had
since been informed by an Indian that Brant was still recruiting at Oquago,
and was joined daily by recruits from different nations-intending to fall
unexpectedly upon the white people. Thus will the reader observe that this
mission, with a humane and Christian motive, was nearly an abortive one, but
the object was worth its trial.

Statement
of Joseph Wagner.-The following account of the interview between Gen.
Herkimer and Brant, which I first published in 1845, I obtained several years
before of the old patriot Joseph Wagner, of Fort Plain. He stated to me that
at the rirst meeting of Gen. Herkimer with Brant, the latter was attended
by three other chiefs; William Johnson, a reputed son of Sir William Johnson,
who is mentioned in his will as a Canajoharie Indian, and who was killed at
the battle of Oriskany the same year; Pool, a smart-looking fellow with curly
hair, supposed part Indian and part Negro, and a short dark-skinned Indian,
the four encircled by a body-guard of some twenty noble-looking warriors.

When
in his presence, Brant rather haughtily asked Gen. Herkimer, the object of
his visit, which was readily made known ; but seeing many attendants, the
chief suspected the interview was sought for another purpose. Said Brant to
Herkimer, I have five hundred warriors at my command, and can in an instant
destroy you and your party; but we are old neighbors and friends, and I will
not do it. Col. Cox, a smart officer who accompanied Gen. Herkimer, exchanged
several sarcastic expressions with Brant, which served not a little to irritate
him and his followers. The two had had a quarrel a few years previous, about
lands around the Upper Indian castle. Provoked to anger. Brant asked Cox if
he was not the son-in-law of old George Klock? Yes ! replied Cox in a
tone of malignity, and what is that to you, you d-d Indian? At the
close of this dialogue Brant's guard ran off to their camp, firing several
guns, and making the hills echo back their savage yells. Gen. Herkimer then
assured Brant that he intended his visit for one of a pacific nature, and
urged him to prevent their moving to hostilities. A word from that chief hushed
the tempest of human passion, which but an instant before had threatened to
deluge the valley with blood; the parties, however, were too heated to proceed
with the business which convened them.

Said
Brant, addressing Gen. Herkimer, is it needless to multiply words at this
time, I will meet you here at precisely 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. The
parties then separated to occupy their former position in camp.

Precaution
of Gen. Herkimer. - From what had transpired, I presume Gen. Herkimer
did not feel wholly secure in his person ; for early on the following morning
he called on Mr. Wagner, then an active youug soldier of hia party and taking
him aside, asked him if he could keep a secret, When assured in the affirmative,
he informed Wagner that he wished him to select three other persons, who,
with himself should be in readiness at a given signal, to shoot Brant and
the other three chiefs, if the interview about to take place did not end
amicably. In case of the least hostile movement on their part, the chiefs
were to be sacrificed. Wagner selected Abraham and Geo. Herkimer, nephews
of Gen. Herkimer, and a third person name now forgotten. Col. Stone, speaking
of this transaction in the Life of Brant, not aware of its having been caused
by the circumstances as an arrangement of caution; reflecting credibly on
the prudence of Gen. Herkimer, thus comments on it: " There is something
so revolting-so rank and foul-in this project of meditated treachery, that
it is difficult to reconcile it with the known character of Gen. Herkimer."
In another place he adds, " A betrayal of his (Herkimer's) confidence,
under those circumstances, would have brought a stain upon the character of
the provincials, which all the waters of the Mohawk could not have washed
away." Difficult indeed would it be if necessary, to reconcile this affair
with the honorable life of the brave IIerkimer, but such is not the case,
and I have presented this whole matter solely to correct an impression conveyed
in the life of Brant, which reflects ignobly on the character of that officer.
The whole proceeding was only one of precaution, and had it been otherwise
would have been executed, as ample opportunity was afforded Wagner and his
accomplices, to assassinate the chiefs. Col. Stone quotes the manuscript of
my informant as authority for what he states, but there is some mistake in
the matter, as Wagner assured the writer he never had furnished a manuscript
account of the affair to any one.* * This account of the second interview between Gen Herkimer
and Brant, was corroborated by the late Gen. Chas. Gray, of Herkimer village,
who had the story from his father, a soldier there under Gen. Herkimer.

With
the arrangement of Gen. Herkimer, as stated above, the parties held their
interview on the 28th of June. Brant was the first to speak : said he-"
Gen. Herkimer, I now fully com- prehend the object of your visit, but you
are too late, I am al- ready engaged to serve the king. We are old friends
and can do no less than let you return home unmolested, although you are entirely
within my power." After a little more conversation, in which the parties
agreed to separate amicably, the conference ended, at which time Gen. Herkimer
presented to Brant seven or eight fat cattle that had but just arrived, owing
to obstructions on the outlet of Otsego Lake, down which stream they were
driven. For three days previous to the arrival of the cattle, the Americans
were on very short allowance.

Whether
Brant had 500 men at his command is doubted; Col. Harper has given their number
as about 137-possibly there were foes in concealment unknown to that officer.
The Americans retraced their steps to the Mohawk valley, and scarcely had
they set out, when the Indians began to repeat their depredations on the patriotic
citizens in the neighborhood. Brant soon after fell back to Oquago, to strengthen
his numbers, and prepare to act in concert with St. Leger.

After
the war Brant visited the Mohawk valley, at which time Mr. Wagner conversed
with him about the treaty at Unadilla. On being assured by the latter that
he was in readiness at the second interview to shoot him down, that chief
expressed much surprise that Gen. Herkimer had taken such precaution. Important
paper of Chairman Ball: "Schoharie, July 7th, 1777, in Committee Chamber first
Resolved, that all the persons between the ages of sixteen and fifty
years, from the dwelling house of Christian Shaffer and to northward in Schoharie,
are to bring their arms and accoutrements when they come to the meeting at
either of the two churches in Fountain Town and Foxes Town,* on Sunday or
any other day when kept; and if any of them shall neglect in bringing their
arms and accoutrements to either of the churches, shall forfeit and pay the
sum of three shillings, New York currency, into the hands of Mr.

*
The former a Lutheran church then standing on the present site of the Lutheran
cemetery, a lltle distance east of the Court House, and the latter the stone
edifice erected by the Dutch church, and still standing one mile north of
tlie Court House, now familiarly known as the Old Fort. It was for a time
used as an Arsenal. The State has since given it to the town of Schoharie
for preservation.

Johannes Ball,
for the use of paying the costs for the district of Schoharie; or if any
person shall not pay-the said sum as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for Mr.
Johannes Ball to give a warrant directed to a sergeant or corporal, and
levy the same on the offender's goods and chattels, and also the costs thereof.

"And the persons
inhabiting from the dwelling of Baltus Krysler to the said Christian Shaffer,
are to bring their arms, &c., to the church in Weiser's Town [now Middleburgh],
as they are ordered to [in] Foxes town; and, if neglected, to pay the same
to Mr. Johannes Becker, and be put in execution by him as ordered by Mr.
Ball aforesaid.

"And persona
southward from Baltus Krysler's are to be armed when [they] come to any
meeting that may be kept in Brakabeen, and, if neglected, to pay the fines
to Mr. William Zimmer, and to be put by him in execution as before mentioned,
and for the use as aforesaid.

" N. B. Their
resolve in Fountain Town Church is to be paid to Mr. Johannes Lawyer, and
to be put by him in execution as within mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid;
and George Warner is appointed to see [that] the inhabitants of Cobelskill
bring their arms when [they] come to meeting there, and put this resolve
in execution as within mentioned, and for the use aforesaid.

"Secondly,
Resolved, That four watches are to be kept in Schoharie every night from
this time constant: the first is to be kept at the dwelling house of Capt.
George Mann, and under his command, and in his absence the next in command;
the inhabitants from Christian Shaffer's dwelling house and to northward,
are to be under Capt. Mann's command for the watch to consist of eight men.
The second is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Hendrick P. Becker,
and under command of Capt. George Richtmyer, and in his absence the next
officer in command: the inhabitants from Hendrick Tansen's house and so
northward to Christian Shaffer's, are under the command of the second watch,
and to consist of six men. The third is to be kept at the dwelling house
of Mr. Johannes Feak, and under the command of Lieut. Martynus Van Slyck,
and in his absence the next officer in command; the inhabitants from Baltus
Krysler's dwelling house* and so northward to Hendrick Tanse's are under

* This was
situated where now stands the residence of the late Samuel Lawyer, in the
town of Fulton.

the command
of this third watch, and to consist of six men. And the fourth is to be
at the dwelling house of Mr. Kendrick Hager and under the command of Capt.
Jacob Hager, in his ab- sence the next officer in command ; and this watch
is to consist of six men. Every person or persons neglecting to serve on
each or either of such watches aforementioned, shall for every neglect pay
and forfeit the sum of twelve shillings for the use of the district of Schoharie."

Harpersfield.-At
an early stage of difficulties, the little settlement at Harpersfield, which
was greatly exposed to savage inroads, organized a committee of vigilance,
of which Isaac Patchin was chairman. This settlement was within the limits
of Tryon county. In view of the enemy's proximity, Mr. Patchin wrote to
the State Council of Safety, on the 4th of July, 1777, as follows:

" GENTLEMEN-The
late irruptions and hostilities committed at Tunadilla, by Joseph Brandt,
with a party of Indians and tories, have so alarmed the well-affected inhabitants
of this and the neighboring settlements, who are now the entire frontier
of this State, that except your honors doth afford us immediate protection,
we shall be obliged to leave our settlements to save our lives and families;
especially as there is not a man on the outside of us, but such as have
taken protection of Brant, and many of them have threatened our destruction
in a short time, the particular circumstances of which Col. Harper, (who
will wait on your honors,) can give you a full account of, by whom we hope
for your protection, in what manner to conduct ourselves."

Earliest
prisoners.-In a letter from Col. Guy Johnson to Lord Geo. Germain, dated
at New York, July 7, 1777, he says, that Joseph (meaning Brant) had stated
to him, that his friends had already cut off a sergeant and twelve men near
Fort Stanwix. This, which seems an unrecorded event in our annals, was no
doubt one of the earliest movements of the enemy in the capture of American
prisoners; which, as we may suppose, were taken to Canada.

On the 8th
July, William Harper wrote the Albany council from Cherry Valley, also within
Tryon county, stating the exposed

* Brod. Papers,
vol. 8, page 713.

condition of
that place, and the rumor of the enemy's nearness under Brant. The committee
to which was referred the correspondence of Isaac Patohin and Wm. Harper,
introduced: several resolutions to the council of safety on the 17th of
July; in which they recommended raising two companies of rangers, to serve
on the frontiers of Tryon, Ulster, and Albany counties, under the command
of John Harper and James Clyle, as captains, ahd Alexander Harper and John
Campbell as lieutenants. Lt. Harper, as soon as twenty-five men were enlisted
by Col. John Harper, a recruiting officer, was to take charge of them and
repair to a post of danger.

In the correspondence
of the Provincial Congress of New York, I find the following:

"SCHOHARIE
COMMITTEE CHAMBER, Juy 17, 1777.

" GENTLEMEN-The
late advantage gained over us by the enemy, has such effect upon numbers
here, that many we thought steady friends to the State seem to draw back;
our state therefore, is deplorable; all our frontiers (frontier settlers)
except those that are to take protection from the enemy, are gone, so that
we are entirely open to the Indians and tories, which we expect every hour
to come to this setllement: part of our militia is at Fort Edward; the few
that are here many of them, are unwilling to take up arms to defend themselves,
as they are not able to stand against so great a number of declared enemies,
who speak openly without any reserve. Therefore, if your honors do not grant
us immediate relief, of about 500 men to help defend us, we must either
fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection also. For further particulars
we refer you to the bearer, Col. Willet, in whom we confide to give you
a true account of our state and situation, and of the back settlements,
as he is well acquainted with them. We beg that your honors will be pleased
to send us an answer by the bearer. We remain,

"Your honors'
most obed't humble servant'.

" Signed by
order of the committee,

"JOHANNES BALL,
Chairman"

The above
letter was read in council, at their afternoon session, on Saturday, July
19th, and after some discussion it was referred to Messrs. J. Platt, and
R. R. Livingston. On the 22d, the council wrote as follows:

To the Chairman
of the Committee of Schoharie:

"KINGSTON,
July 22, 1777.

"GENTLEMEN-It
greatly astonishes this council that the settlement of Schoharie, which
has always been considered as firmly and spiritedly attached to the American
cause, should be panic struck upon the least appearance of danger. Can you
conceive that our liberties can possibly be redeemed from that vassalage
which our implacable foes are, with unrelenting cruelty, framing for us,
without some danger and some vigorous efforts on our part? To expect that
Providence, however righteous our cause, will, without a vigorous use of
those means which it has put in our power, interpose in our behalf, is truly
to expect that God will work miracles for us, when those means, Well improved,
will afford sufficient security to our inestimable rights. It is your bounden
duty, if you wish for the smiles of heaven in favor of the public cause
in which you are so deeply interested, to acquit yourselves like men. A
few worthless Indians, and a set of villains, who have basely deserted their
country, are all the enemies you have to fear.

" We have
good reason to believe that the greatest and most deserving part of the
Six Nations are well disposed towards us. This council is exerting itself
to secure you against danger, and only wish you would second their efforts.
Tryon county is a frontier to your settlement; in that county Fort Schuyler
is a respectable fortress, properly garrisoned. Maj.-Gen. Schuyler has sent
up a part of a regiment as a further reinforcement. We have authorized Col.
Harper to raise and embody 200 men for covering and protecting the inhabitants,
and have formed such a disposition of the militia of the county of Tryon
for alternate relieves as we hope will tend effectually to secure you.

" If any proclamations
or protections should be offered you by the enemy, by all means reject them.
From the woful experience of those who have fallen within their influence
in other parts of the country we have the highest reason to believe that
your acceptance of those tenders of friendship, should they be made, will
render your misery and slavery unavoidable.

"In further
attention to the cause of your settlement and Tryon county, we have this
morning sent Mr. Robert Livingston to Gen. Washington. He is authorized
to concert with his Excellency the moat effectual measures for putting the
western frontiers of this State in all possible security.

" In the
meantime we expect much from your public virtue; that it will induce you
to apprehend and send to us the disaffected among you; that it will lead
you to the most effectual means of securing your property from the depredations
of a weak but insidious foe; and that it will teach you the impropriety
of deserting your habitations, and keep yon in continual readiness to repel
the assaults of the enemies of the liberty of your country. We write to
the general committee of the county of Albany, to give you all the countenance,
assistance and support in their power."

The following
is part of a letter from the same body, under the same date, to the Albany
committee.

" Gentlemen--The
great depression of spirits of the inhabitants of Tryon county, and settlers
of Schoharie, give this council much uneasiness, as it exposes them to the
depredations of an enemy whom they might otherwise despise.

" We hope
that your committee will not be wanting to support the drooping spirits
of the western inhabitants in general, and particularly of those within
your county. We have great reason to fear the breaking up of the settlement
of Schoharie, unless our exertions be seconded by your efforts. You well
know that such an event on the frontiers will not only be attended with
infinite mischief to the inhabitants, but will furnish cause for discouragement
to the country in general. Every means should therefore be tried to prevent
it.

"This
Council are earnestly solicitous to put the western frontiers of this State
in a situation as respectable as possible; and though they conceive the
enemy's strength to consist principally in those exaggerations which result
from the threats of our internal foes, and the fears of our friends, yet
as those may be productive of real mischief, they would endeavor by every
means in their power to prevent the evil. Your known exertions in the public
cause will not permit them to doubt of your straining every nerve to second
their endeavors, etc., etc."

The Above
Correspondence Shows a false Estimate of Danger.-The reader will observe
that in the letter to the Schoharie committee, the State council, in speaking
of the foe to which the Scholiarie settlement was exposed, consisted only
of a few worthless Indians and tories; and that they believed the Six Nations,
as a whole, were well affected towards the republicans. This, however, as
the result showed, was not the fact as the principal warriors of four of
the Six Nations had already taken up the British hatchet, and were led on
by a formidable number of royalists. They also spoke of Tryon county as
the frontier of Schoharie-the whole being well protected by the garrison
of Fort Schuyler, better known as Fort Stanwix. This part of the letter
discovers the ignorance of the council of the true geography of the frontier
settlements; as that fort was situated at least 100 miles northwest of Schoharie,
while the enemies of the latter were expected from a southwest direction,
from whence they usually approached. In that direction were tlie settlments
of Unadilla, Harpersfield and Wyoming, either of which could be avoided;
but the two former were early broken up and their well disposed inhabitants
driven in upon less exposed communities-while the fate of the latter is
well known. The truth is, that, as an old soldier, James Williamson of Fort
Schuyler, once observed to the writer, that fortress did not answer the
purposes for which it was intended in the Revolution, after the year 1777,
as the enemy could, and did pass round it in every direction to the frontier
settlements-the unbroken forest concealing their approach, until, as if
by magic, they appeared at the very dwellings of the pioneers. Indeed, those
entering the lower part of the valley, often came by the Sacondaga route
and Johnstown settlements, making their appearance over 50 miles below Fort
Stanwix. Williamson said that when he was at that post, and the enemy made
raids upon communities so distant from them, the soldiers often wished themselves
within striking distance, so as to punish their cruel audacity.

On the 22d
of July, the chairman of the Albany committee wrote to Gen. Schuyler as
follows :

"HON.
SIR-Colo. Vrooman and two other gentlemen from Schoharie, are now with us,
and represent the distress their part of the country is driven to.

" Threats,
they hourly receive; their persons and property are exposed to imminent
danger; nearly one half of the people heretofore well disposed, have laid
down their arms, and propose to side with the enemy. All which change has
taken its oorigin from the desertion of Ticonderoga, the unprecedented loss
of which, we are afraid, will be followed by a revolt of more than one half
of the northern part of this county. We therefore beg leave to suggest whether
it would not be advisable to detain one or two companies of continental
troops, which are expected here, to be sent that way for a few days, which
we suppose might bring the greater part again to a sense of their duty."

On the 24th
of July, the chairman of the Albany committee wrote to the Council of Safety
as follows:

GENTLEMEN-Yours
of the 22d instant is now before us, recommending us to use our utmost influence
to revive the drooping spirits of the inhabitants of this and Tryon county.
A duty so essential as this, has long since been our principal object, by
following the example you have recommended to us; but upon the whole, gentlemen,
they are only words upon which we have long played, and we earnestly hope
they may be realized in such a manner as that the usual confidence the people
of this and Tryon county have in our board, may not depreciate in the eyes
of the public, on which head we beg leave to remark, that your sanguine
expectations of Col. Harper's rangers will by no means answer the purpose.
The gentleman undoubtedly has abilities, and will exert himself; but when
this matter is held up in a more clear view, it will appear that every man,
almost, in this and Tryon county, adapted for the ranging service, is engaged
in the continental, occasioned by the amazing bounty that has been given;
and on the other hand, the necessary men employed in various branches attending
an army, together with the constant drain of militia, though but few in
number, occasioned by the above circuinstance, are still necessitated to
discharge their duty to their country, all which point out to you the impracticability
of the plan. After considering these particulars, which we believe have
not been sufficiently suggested by the honorable the council, we conceive
it will be impossible to collect any more men on the proposed plan, by reason
that their pay and encouragement is not adequate to the times. If the foregoing
difficulties have any weight, you may judge that no essential service can
be expected from the rangers, nor can have any weight, with the people to
the westward.

" We enclose
you a copy of a letter by us sent to Gen. Schuyler, from which you will
perceive the distressed situation the people of Schoharie are in."

The reader
will see by the tone of the above letter, that it was easier to talk about
Col. Harper's troops for covering Schoharie, than to raise them.

On the 25th
of July, Mr. Livingston returned from his conference with the Commander-in-chief,
and reported, that his Excellency had already ordered Gen. Glover's division
of the army to march to the relief of Tryon county; and a letter was immediately
dispatched to the committee of that county, informing them that Glover's
brigade had marched to Albany, there to receive directions from Gen. Schuyler,
then in command of the northern army. The latter officer, in a letter to
the Albany committee, dated Moses Creek, four miles below Fort Edward, July
24th, after speaking of the gloomy aspect of military affairs in that quarter,
the desertion of New England troops, etc., thus adds:

"Happy
I should be, in some degree, if I could close the melancholly tale here
; but every letter I receive from the county of Tryon, advises me that the
inhabitants of it will lay down their arms, unless I support them with continental
troops. From what I have said you will see the impossibility of my complying
with their request. The district of Schoharie has also pointedly intimated,
that unless continental troops are sent there, they will also submit to
the enemy. Should it be asked what line of conduct I mean to hold amidst
this variety of difficulties and distress, I would answer, to dispute
every inch of ground with Gen. Burgoyne, and retard his descent into the
country as long as possible, without the least hopes of being able to
prevent his ultimately reaching Albany, unless I am reinforced from Gen.
Washington, or by a respectable body of militia. The former I am advised
I am not to have, and whence to procure the latter I know not. I must therefore
look up to you; but though I am under the fullest conviction that you will
afford me every aid in your power, yet I fear it cannot be much.

"In this
situation you will be pleased to permit me to observe, that I think the
Council of Safety ought to press Gen. Washington
for an immediate reinforcement of at least fifteen hundred good continental
troops. Those of our own. State, if possible, if not from any of the southern
colonies; one thousand to reinforce me, the remainder to be sent to Tryon
county."

In the same
letter Gen. Schuyler expressed his fears that should Burgoyne be able to
penetrate to Albany, the force approaching the Mohawk under Col. St. Ledger
would be able to meet him there; in which case if Gen. Howe pressed up the
river; Gen. Washington would either be put between two fires, or compelled
to file off into New England. He however trusted such a result might not
be realized, and hoped the freedom of his sentiments would not be thought
to rise from a principle which would disgrace a soldier. He added: "
I assure you they do not; and I hope my countrymen will never have occasion
to blush for me, whatever may be the event of this campaign."

A further
misconception of Frontier Danger.-The Council of Safety, in reply to
the Albany committee's letter of the 24th, responded on the 27th of July
as follows :

" GENTLEMEN-Your
letter of the 24th inst, has just been received and laid before the council.
It was not by words alone that the council expects the drooping spirits
of the inhabitants of Tryon county should be revived, nor do they know any
other way of realizing those expectations than by vigorous exertions.

" It is
highly unreasonable to expect that the militia of other states or additional
detachments from the continental army should be sent to Tryon county or
Schoharie, when their own exertions, with the aid already afforded, would
secure them. Harper's rangers are not the only measures taken for their
support ; a third part of the militia is ordered to be embodied, and the
council will provide for their pay. But if when their all is at stake, they
should think the wages too little, and from such degenerate, mercenary principles
refuse to march, they will merit the distinction to which their want of
courage and public spirit will expose them.

" It is
by example, not speeches, that the council wish they may be encouraged.
They expect the county of Albany will exert itself; that their leading men
on other occasions, will not be backward now; that they will march with
the militia, and animate the body of the people by their perseverance, spirit
and patriotism. If the salvation of such a cause be not sufficient lo induce
us to such actions, future generations may, with propriety, say that we
did not deserve to be free. If malcontents among you are fomenting divisions
or encouraging a revolt, they onght to be immediately apprehended, and it
is presumed you have sufficient strength at least for the purpose of internal
government. If a few dispirited people are permitted to lay down their arms,
and with impunity, not only to disobey orders, but to say they will side
with the enemy, government has become base and feeble indeed. Your powers
are equal to all these exigences, and the council hope you will exert them.
That large drafts, of men haoe been made from the militia is a fact not
to be denied; but it is equally true that their number is still very
respectable, and if they please, very formidable. In short, there is reason
to fear that the panic and irresolution which seems to prevail in the western
district will, by being introduced into the history of the present glorious
contest, injure the reputation which this State has justly acquired by its
strenuous and noble exertions in the common cause of America.

" P. S.
We have the best assurances that Gen. Glover, with his brigade, is sent
up to reinforce the northern department; and we flatter ourselves that Maj.-Gen.
Schuyler will, as he finds. himself reinforced, cause troops to file off
for the defense of the western frontiers. To facilitate this, we have written
pressingly to the Governor of Connecticut for aid."

Girls Shot
near Fort Stanwix.-The following extract of a letter from Col. Ganaevoort
to Col. Van Schaick, dated Fort Schuyler, old Fort Stanwix, July 28, will
show one of the earliest of those tragedies which crimsoned the frontier
forest of New York.

" DEAR
SIR-Yesterday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, our garrison was alarmed
with the firing of four guns. A party of men were instantly dispatched to
the place where the guns were fired, which was in the edge of the woods,
about five hundred yards from the fort, but they were too late. The villains
were fled, after having shot three girls who were out picking raspberries,
two of whom were lying scalped and tomahawked; one dead and the other expiring,
who died in about half an hour after she was brought home. The third had
two balls through the shoulder, but made out to make her escape. Her wounds
are not thought dangerous: by the best discoveries we have made, there were
four Indians who perpetrated these murders.

"I had
four men with arms just pass that place, but these mercenaries of Britain
came not to fight, but to lie in wait to murder;
and it is equally the same to them, if they can get a scalp, whether it
is from a soldier or an innocent babe." *

Instead of
Gen. Schuyler's affording the western settlements any relief after having
been reinforced by Glover's brigade, we find him, under date of August 1st,
writing from Saratoga to the New York council as follows:

" I have
desired Col. Van Schaick to apply for all the militia of Schoharie, Duanesburg,
Schenectada and Tryon county, that can be collected; but I forsee that nothing
will be effected, unless a committee of your body is deputed to repair to
Albany." [Those militia were intended to reinforce the northern army].

A Glance
at the Doings of the Enemy.-Let us take a hasty glance at the progress
of the enemy's campaign in the summer of 1777, when he hoped with one energetic
blow, to separate the New England from the Middle States. Col. St. Leger,
checked in his progress down the Mohawk, by a bloody battle with the Tryon
county militia, at Oriskany, on the morning of August 6th, under the brave
old Herkimer, in which some of his men performed prodigies of valor; and
a timely sortie from Fort Stanwix by troops under Col. Willet-finding his
Indians deserting him-Col. Gansevoort unwilling to surrender-and a body
of troops under Gen. Arnold advancing to raise the siege of that fortress-was
obliged to make good his retreat to Canada. Gen. Burgoyne, after contesting
the ground for some time and meeting with repeated defeats-seeing his Indian
allies deserting him from a dislike to Morgan's rifle-men, and his own retreat
cut off, surrendered his army to Gen. Gates, who had succeeded Schuyler,
as prisoners of war. Sir. Henry Clinton, after ascending the Hudson with
a body of troops, as far as Kingston, and reducing that flourishing village
to ashes, learning that Gov. Clinton was marching to oppose him, fell back
down the river.

* One of the
girls killed was Caty Steers, then 20 years old, and a daughter of a pioneer
settler. She was living at the time in the family of Johannes Roof, not
far from the fort.

It remains
for us to follow the footsteps of McDonald. At this unsettled period when
no forts had been erected in the Schoharie settlements to which the timid
might flee for safety, confusion, for want of union, was manifested
among the courageous. *

Under date
of August 9th, the Albany committee wrote to the Council of Safety as follows:

" We inclose
you a copy of a letter just now received from the committee of Schenectada.
You will perceive by its contents, that a reinforcement is called for in
that quarter. It gives us pain to inform you that it is out of the power
of this county to send them any. The depredations committed by the tories
is of the worst consequences, as it effectually prevents the militia from
joining the army pursuant to Gen. Ten Broeck's request; each part calls
for more help to assist themselves. A Captain Mann, of the militia of Schoharie
has collected a number of Indians and tories ; declares himself a friend
to King George, and threatens destruction to all who do not lay down their
arms or take protection from our enemies. In order to support our friends
in that quarter, a force should be sent to them. This is needless to attempt,
as a reason is assigned why no force can be had.

"In yours
of the 27th ult., you desire that every nerve may be exerted ; this has
been done, though without the desired effect. Our army to the northward,
we have already informed you, does not appear adequate to repel the force
supposed to be coming against them," etc., etc.

The above letter,
and one from Gen. Schuyler, dated at Stillwater, August 6th, were received
by the State council on the llth; from the latter, I take the following
extract:

" General
Ten Broeck has ordered out the whole of the militia; but I fear very few
will march, and that most of them will behave as the Schoharie and Schenectada
militia have done. How that is, you will see by the inclosed, which are
copies of letters I have this morning received." [What the conduct
alluded to was, does not appear on the journal of the council, but we may
suppose they refused to march until some provision was made for the protection
of their own families against the common foe.]

On the afternoon
of Monday, the 11th, Benjamin Bartholomew* In the Annals of Tryon County, the invasion of McDonald
is erroneously set down as having occurred in 1778. Campbell also states
tliat three forts had been erected in Schoharie the fall before. The forts
were erected at the time he states; but not, however, unlil after McDonald's
visit.

from Schoharie,
was admitted to the council chamber, and informed the council in substance:

" That
a certain man at Schoharie was collecting a party in favor of the enemy,
which had dispirited the inhabitants; that the few resolutely well affected
were escaping from thence privately." [That body then drafted the following
letter to Gov. Clinton :] "SIR-The Council have received advice, that
one Captain Mann is collecting a force in Schoharie, and has prevailed upon
the inhabitants, through fear, to take part with him, and even to take up
arms against us. As this must expose the frontiers of Ulster and Albany
counties, the flame may possibly extend further, if not instantly checked.

" They
would suggest to your Excellency the propriety of sending a party under
the command of an active and intelligent officer, by the way of Woodstock
or Catskill, who may fall upon the party, arouse the spirits of our friends,
and give the Indians such an impression of our activity, as will render
them cautious of opposing us. Perhaps about two hundred men might be spared
for this purpose from the garrison in the Highlands, and, if necessary,
they might again be reinstated by other militia. The council submit this
plan to your Excellency, and if it should be approved, doubt not but that
it will be carried instantly into execution, since secrecy and expedition
will ensure its success."

On the 11th,
the Albany committtec, in a letter to tlie council, speaking of their apprehensions
for the northern army and the ultimate fate of Albany, and the meritorious
conduct of Gen. Herklmer, after he was severely wounded, in refusing for
hours to leave the Oriskany battle field, thus observe:

" The
people of Schoharie have informed us that they will be obliged to lay down
their arms. The militia that could be collected in, this county have
been sent to the army: they have been long in service, and seeing no
prospect of relief, intend soon to return and remove their families to a
place of greater safety."

A Movement
in the Right Direction.-Gov. Clinton addressed the president of the
council from New Windsor, on the llth of August, as follows:

" SIR-I
wrote this morning to Colo. Pawling, advising him of the conduct of Capl.
Mann, of the Schoharie militia, mentioned in the letter of the committee
of Albany, a copy of which you sent me. I am apprehensive, that unless he
and his party are speedily routed they will become formidable and dangerous
neighbors to our western frontiers. I therefore proposed to Colo. Pawling,
in the letter I addressed to him this morning, the propriety of embodying
a party of men out of his regiment, under an active officer, for this purpose,
and directed him to call on your Honorable House for their advice and assistance
on this occasion, which, should they agree with me in sentiment, they will
please to afford him.

" It is
certainly my opinion, that it is essential to the public safety to have
this busines executed with dispatch and effectually. That fellow, without
doubt, acts under the encouragement and by the advice of the enemy; and
even though he should not attempt to commit hostilities on the inhabitants
of the western frontiers, the very deterring of the militia from marching
to the aid of the northern army alone is a capital mischief; besides suffering
such an atrocious and open offender to pass with immunity, would, in point
of example, be extremely impolitic. It may be necessary to exercise a good
deal of prudence with respect to the Indians who are with Capt. Mann, the
management of which I must submit to the Council."

The council
do not seem at this date to have been aware of the fact, that Capt. McDonald
and Lieut. Adam Crysler then had a body of tories and Indians in the upper
part of the Schoharie valley, acting in concert with Capt. Mann, a dozen
miles below. The next day, his Excellency again addressed the president
of the council, as follows:

"NEW WINDSOR,
12th Aug't, 1777.

" DEAR
SIR-On the receipt of a letter yesterday morning from General Scott, enclosing
a copy of a letter from the committee of Albany, to your honorable board,
containing the same intelligence respecting Capt. Mann, mentioned in your
letter of the llth inst., just now delivered me, I immediately wrote to
Col. Pawling on that subject, pointing out the propriety of destroying Mann
and his party by a sudden exertion, with a detachment of the militia under
an active officer, and desiring him, if he thought it practicable, to set
about it immediately; and in that case to call upon the council for their
advice and aid. This morning I addressed a letter to your honorable board
on the same subject, by which you will observe my sentiments coincide exactly
with the council's on this occasion.

I dare not
however, at present, venture to take any of the continental troops from
the garrison in the Highlands for the business.

" The
designs of the enemy under General Howe, are yet uncertain; the garrison
not over strong ; and should any unlucky accident happen in that quarter,
in the absence of troops, which might be drawn from thence for this expedition,
I would be greatly and perhaps deservedly censured. If the militia are to
be employed, they can be much easier and more expeditiously had in the neighborhood
of Kingston and Marbletown, than by marching them up from the fort.

" Major
Pawling was charged with my letter to council, and left my house this morning
for Kingston. I mentioned this scheme to him, and he expressed a strong
desire to command the party, to which I consented, provided a party proper
for him to command should be ordered out on the occasion. I know him to
be possessed of prudence as well as spirit."

Troops Finally
sent to Schoharie.-The reader will perceive by the preceding correspondence,
that provision had been made, although tardily, to succor Schoharie. Many
well disposed citizens in McDonald's descent through the southern settlements,
seeing no assistance at hand, anxious for the safety of their families and
property, accepted his offered protection of royalty -while not a few joined
in the wake of the tory chief, to swell his already formidable numbers.
In his approach to the more thickly settled parts of Schoharie, he could
have numbered 150 followers-Indians and royalists-armed with various weapons,
which number, rumor, with her many tongues, greatly multiplied. It is not
surprising that the comparatively small body of militia assembled at the
house of John Becker, a part of which house is now standing, felt themselves
too weak to oppose their enemies unaided. They, however, began barricading
the windows and doors of this stone dwelling; and deputed two of their number,
Vrooman and Swart, to go to Albany for assistance.

Information,
how Conveyed in the War.-I have elsewhere stated that messages were
communicated along the frontiers, by white men and Indians, on foot or on
horseback; and often such persons were exposed to great dangers. I may also
add that, for long distances, relays of horses were established. Here is
a notice of one, found in a letter of Washington to Nathaniel Shaw, a wealthy
merchant of New London, Ct. Gen. W. stated that he had posted relays of
dragoons at every 15 miles distance, from his head quarters at the Robinson
house, near the Hudson river, to New London. He wished Mr. Shaw to extend
the line from New London to Tower Hill; posting three relays at every 15
miles, with orders to ride by night or day, whenever dispatches arrived
at their quarters. He would be answerable for the charges; the relays to
be continued as long as the British fleet and army were off Rhode Island.
He also wanted a constant watch kept out upon the Sound, intelligence of
any movement to be communicated in the same manner. "Washington's letter
was dated 31 July, 1780, and is found in Dawson's His. Magazine for
1866, page 301.

Manuscript
of Judge Hager.-Henry Hager, of North Blenheim, late a judge of Schoharie
county, very kindly furnished the author with a manuscript of some facts
relating to Schoharie. He states that McDonald reached the river above Brakabeen,
on Sunday the 10th of August, and "marched up and down the road, stationing
guards, etc." As the enemy were overrunning the valley, Henry Hager,
grandfather of my informant, then over 70 years old, was anxious to inform
the patriot party below of the invader's progress and espionage along the
valley. There was no whig near, with whom he could consult; indeed, the
Hager family was the only one, for a distance of several miles, that had
not already joined the enemy's standard, or accepted of his proffered protection;
he therefore started to do the errand himself, a distance of nearly nine
miles. Leaving home about sun-down, he had proceeded but a short distance
when he was brought to a stand by an emissary of royalty, who demanded where
he was going, his business, etc. His good judgment readily prompting a reply,
he feigned business with a blacksmith living below. The sprig of his majesty
informed him that the man he wished to see was in a house near by. He was
permitted to enter and do his errand, which was to order some small job.
Vulcan told him he would do his work, and that he might call for it as early
as he pleased next morning, Leaving the infected house, Hager again encountered
the man endowed with brief authority, who granted him permission to return
home.

It was nearly
dark when the aged patriot left the tory sentinel. Proceeding a few hundred
yards on his way home, until out of sight of the enemy, he went down a bank
of the river which he forded, and by a circuitous route, reached the Stone
House in safety and communicated the approach of the invaders. Capt. Jacob
Hager, his son, was there at the time. He had returned with a party of Schohane
militia from the northern army but a few days before, where he had distinguished
himself in several hazardous enterprises, transporting cannon to Fort Edward,
etc. On Monday morning Col. Vrooman, fearing Swart and his comrade might
not reach Albany, in season to obtain assistance, sent Capt. Hager and Henry
Becker on the same errand ; with instructions to keep the woods whenever
there was danger of meeting with detention.

Col. Harper
Starts for Albany.-At this juncture of the proceedings, in the afternoon
of the day on which Hager and Becker had left, Col. John Harper, whose duty
the reader will remember, required him to look to the protection of Schoharie
arrived, to consult with Col. Vrooman and the whigs there assembled, on
the best course to be adopted under the circumstances. It was readily agreed
that the friends of equal rights assembled, or likely to be in season, were
too few to oppose successfully McDonald's progress. No time was to be lost,
as it was expected the band of outlaws would reach that vicinity on the
following day: in order, therefore, to get aid in season to be of service,
it was thought advisable for a messenger to proceed immediately to Albany
on horseback. Col. Harper volunteered his services, and although the day
was far spent, he mounted and set forward. Knowing that it would be extremely
hazardous to pursue his journey in the night, he rode about five miles and
put up at a public house then kept by John I. Lawyer, mentioned elsewhere
in this work. In the latter part of the war his son, Jacob Lawyer, Jr.,
was its host. This ancient inn stood near the old Lutheran parsonage. The
building in 1855 was yet standing on the premises of Chester Lasell*-Mrs.
W. G. Michaels, who was of this Lawyer family.

* It was occupied
as a tenant house, when in about 18S7, It took fire and burned down.

On the night
Col. Harper staid at Lawyer's there was a gathering of tories and Indians,
at the tavern known in those days as, The Brick House at the Rorks of
the Road* distant from the former inn about a mile and a quarter. The
object of this meeting of genial spirits, was, no doubt, to receive and
communicate intelligence from and to the royalist party above, and also
to learn tidings from such as kept an eye on the movements at Lawyer's tavern.
A whig (George Warner, Jr., of Cobelskill) who was a watchman secreted with
others that night, along the fences south of the Brick House, to note the
motions of the enemy, assured the author that he saw individuals all night
passing and repassing, whom he supposed communicating with the McDonald
party.

Col. Harper,
having secured his horse and taken supper, retired early to an upper room,
and locked the door, but did not think it prudent to undress. Some time
in the evening, a party from the Brick House arrived at Lawyer's. The object
of their visit being made known to the landlord, which was to get Harper
to accompany them to their rendezvous, he expostulated with them for intruding
upon the rest of his guest, but to no purpose, for see him they would. Knowing
that he was near an infected district, Col. Harper had taken the precaution
to leave a light burning. Hearing an unusual noise below, he seized his
pistols and stepped to the door, and while listening to learn the cause
of his disturbance, he overheard the suppressed but earnest voice of the
landlord on the stairs, urging the intruders not to ascend. . Said he :
"For God's sake, gentlemen, desist! for I tell you he is a soldier,
terribly armed, and some of you must die before he will be taken! "
Expostulation was in vain, and the landlord was thrust aside by the tory
party, which rapped at the door of his guest. With pistol in hand he opened
it, threatening death to the first man who should step over its threshold.
The intruders then made known to him the object of the visit, and the intrepid
Harper, with a pistol in each hand, replied, "I will be there in
the morning, but attempt to take me there to-night at your peril!"
Seeing him thus

* This house,
then a tavern kept by Capt Geo. Mann, stood In the forks of the old Albany
and Schenectada roads. It was a two story dwelling at the period of which
I am speaking. Mrs. Col, Peter Dietz, subsequently erected a two Btory brick
house on or near its site, it having Ion before been cut down to a one story
building.

armed, and
knowing from the flash of his eye that his threat would be executed, the
party quailed before him and withdrew. He again locked his door, and was
not afterward disturbed.

Col. Harper
Pursued by Indians.-Col Harper started next morning, about eight o'clock,
armed as on the night previous, with a sword and brace of pistols. Crossing
Foxescreek bridge,without any opposition (some writer has eroneously stated
that a tory sentinal was on the bridge), he rode up to Mann's tavern, as
I have been credibly informed by an eye-witness,* fastened his horse, and
went in. He was in the house but a few minutes, came out, remounted, and
started off on the Schenectada road, via. Duanesburgh, for Albany. He rode
a small black mare, with a white stripe in the forehead, which started,
from the inn upon a pace, and struck a gallop near the top of the hill,
and soon bore the rider out of sight. He had disappeared but a few minutes,
before five Indians arrived at Mann's, and entered the cellar kitchen, followed
by the boys, who were still at play in the street. Within half an hour,
two of Capt. Mann's horses, a black and a roan, were brought before the
door, and two Indians, Seth's Henry, + a tall, dark Schoharie chief, sometimes
familiarly called Set, or Sethen Henry, and David, a small Indian, before
noticed, mounted them, and started at a full gallop on the road Col. Harper
had taken. The Indians, in pursuit were armed only with knives and tomahawks.

For a distance
of sevrral miles, at that period, there was scarcely a house on the old
Duanesburgh road. As Col. Harper drew near Righter's place, he discovered
that be was pursued. Passing over a knoll which hid him from his followers,
he dismounted, drew his sword and stuck the point of it in a dry slump before
him, and holding a pistol in each hand, ready cocked, he leaned against
his horse, and awaited the approach of the Inilians, the tallest of whom
he had already recognized.

* David Warner,
a brother of George, of Cobeslkill. At the time alluded to, he stated to
the writer, that he was a lad about ten years of age ; that he then boarded
with Capt. Mann's father, and went to school near Foxescreek; that several
boys, himself with the rest, had assembled alter breakfast near the tavern
to go to school. The morning was remarkably pleasant It was not usual, at
that period, to see a stranger, with holsters, upon his saddle. Mr. W. also
saw Col. Harper return next day with cavalry.

+ The name
of this Indian's father was Seth, and his own Henry. he was known in the
war by the name in the context.

Riding at a
rapid rate, and before they were aware of their proximity, they drew very
near the object of their pursuit. The instant they saw him, they reined
up, within reach of his pistols. Not choosing to risk a shot, he exclaimed
in a voice and manner that carried terror to their savage breasts-"
Stop yov villains-face about and be off this instant, or these beliefs
shall whistle through your hearts." The Indians, seeing him thus
armed, dared not advance, and wheeling, sullenly withdrew. It is said, however,
that Seth dogged him, at a distance, a good part of the way to Albany. I
have been enabled to be thus circumstantial, from having conversed with
several individuals who received from Col. Harper's own mouth the account
of his pursuit soon after its occurrence.

Col. Harper
in Albany.-Col. Harper's arrival in Albany, on Tuesday, August 12th,
is thus noticed in the Journal of the Council of Safety the following day.
Christopher Fiero stated to that body that one Du Boise, who left Albany
llie evening before, reported " that every road from Schoharie is obstructed
and filled up by the tories there ; that Col. John Harper had escaped from
thence, and that Col. Vrooman, with about 25 whigs, had fortified themselves
in a house there." Under the same date on the Council's Journal, I
find the copy of a letter written by that body, to Col. Pawling, on the
subject of Gov. Clinton's letters, previously inserted, which reads as follows:

"SIR-We
enclose two letters received from the Governor, by which it appears that
be is very anxious to have the party detached for Schoharie. We have received
information that Col. Vrooman, with a party of whigs, is besieged there
by the tories.

" It is
necessary that he should be relieved immediately. You will therefore be
pleased to issue your orders this night for two hundred drafts to be made
from your regiment; after which you will, agreeably to the Governor's directions,
repair to this place, and confer with tlie Council about the most practicable
means of executing your plan.

" We are
extremely sorry that so much precious time has already been lost by the
miscarriage of your letter." [The above letter was signed by the president
and forwarded by a light-horseman; after which the Council] " Resolved
that Gen. Scott, R. R. Livingston, and Maj. Tappan, be a committee to assist
Col. Pawling in executing the secret expedition."

Who Commanded
Troops Going to Schoharie.-Col. Harper, unadvised of the proceedings
of Gov. Clinton and the Council, on his arrival in Albany, applied either
to the Albany committee, or Col. Van Schaick, then in command of that military
station-or, what is quite likely, to both-for assistance; and a small body
of cavalry was granted him. The company consisted in rank and file of 28
stout looking men.* They were well clad, wore caps, and made a fine military
appearance. By whom they were commanded, the author has been unable satisfactorily
to learn. The old citizens of Schoharie all assert that he was a Frenchman,
and spoke imperfect English. The party, conducted by Col. Harper, left Albany
in the evening, and riding a good part of the night, arrived in Schoharie
early on

* Col Stone,
who, in the Life of Brant, adopted Campbell's erroneous date of this transaction,
placing it in 1778, gave the name of Capt. Woodbake as the commanding officer
ol the party The Schoharie people said that was not the commandant's name.
Stone also puts down their number at 200; but six or eight persons living
in different parts of the county, who counted them, stated their number
to have been only 28. It had been suggested by the Albany committee to send
200.

Wednesday.
One of the party had a trumpet, the first, probably, ever heard echoing
among the mountains of Schoharie; an occasional blast of which is said to
have carried terror to the hearts of the evil doers, and produced an effect
equal to that of an army with banners. After I published this statement
in 1845, I met David L. Degolier, a son of Joseph Degolier, of Perth, Fulton
county, who assured me that his grandfather, James Degolier, was a French
captain in the Revolution, who, the family tradition said, accompanied Col.
Harper to Schoharie, and I have no doubt he was the man. As subsequently
appears the troop belonged to Maj. Wynkoop's corps.

On arriving
at the brick house, a halt was ordered. Mine host, hearing the warlike
sound of the trumpet a little way off, fled to a barrack* of wheat on his
premises, where he snugly ensconsed himself beneath its sheaves ; thinking,
that-

"The
man who lives to ran away,
May live to fight another day."

The commandant
of the little squadron assumed a terrifying aspect, as, half drawing his
sword, and rising in his stirrups, he demanded of Mrs. Mann, who had been
summoned to the door for the purpose, in imperfect English, the whereabouts
of her husband. The good woman, who should not just then have been so frightened,
assured the speaker she could not inform him. In fact she did not know.
The premises of the tory were then strictly searched for his person, even
to the barrack in which he was concealed: and several troopers ran their
swords down into the wheat sheaves beneath which he lay, without discovering
him.

The Effect
of a Few Cavalry in Schoharie.-A small number of men who were found
at the brick house, with some exceptions,

* The word
' barrack ' is both German and Dutch. In the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys
much hay and grain were formerly deposited In barracks-Indeed, such depositaries
are used there at the present day. They are commonly made by erecting four
upright posts, so as to form a square, firmly set in the ground, or held
at equal distances by timbers framed into them above the ground. The upper
part of the posts is perforated with holes, and a roof, made of quadrangular
form, terminating in a vertex, rests upon wood or iron pins thrust through
those holes. The roof is usually constructed by framing two timbers, crossing
at right angles, and secured by side pieces, into which are framed four
upright poles, firmly secured at the apex above The roof is sometimes boarded
and shingled, but usually thatched. When a barrack is to be filled, the
roof is raised to the top of the corner posts, and the hay or grain in the
sheaf is stacked beneath it; and as the contents are removed the roof is
let down. Some barracks have a floor, and are so constructed as to last
many years. Soldiers' huts are, by the French, also called barracks.

submitted to
the authority of the American officers, and destroyed their royal protections,
with the promise of pardon for accepting them. A few who had been very active
among the tories, were however, arrested, among whom was the malicious Indian,
David, who had gained notoriety by his attempt on the life of Chairmam Ball-his
pursuit of Col. Harper, and the aid he had rendered the British cause in
the capacity of messenger -he having just arrived from the camp of McDonald,
when arrested. The troop then proceeded to the public house of Snyder, a
whig living a little distance east of Mann's to obtain refreshments; in
the meantime the news of Col. Harper's arrival from Albany with troops having
wonderful music, spread up and down the valleys of Foxescreek and Schoharie,
with almost lightning rapidity. Leaving their work unfinished, the friends
of liberty began to assemble, and many good citizens who had only been waiting
to see a prospect of succor in case they espoused their country's cause,
now did so cheerily. Stone's account of there having been a large body of
tories, with scarlet patches on their hats assembled at Capt. Mann's, to
whom that officer was making a speech on the arrival of Col. Harper and
his party, needs authentication.

On the evening
of the day on which Col. Harper left the Stone House in Middleburgh,
to obtain assistance, McDonald and his followers descended the river to
the residence of Swart, as stated in his diary, where they encamped over
night; taking possession of the premises, and helping themselves bountifully.

As soon as
the cavalry steeds were rested, and the troops refreshed, quite a party
of militia variously armed having assembled, preparations were made to advance
on the enemy, eight miles distant. The militia, some mounted and others
not, were officered by Col. Harper for the occasion, and accompanied the
cavalry. David, the Indian captive, was fastened by a cord around his wrist,
to a fellow prisoner. The little army now moved up the river, at the inspiring
sound of the trumpet, which laughed among the encrinital and trilobital
hills-and echoed far in the distance. Those who had been the most boisterous
for King George, were, as if by magic, converted into Congress-men; after
hearing the voice of the vociferous Frenchman, and that of his musician
speaking to his distant auditors with a brazen tongue. No musician ever
rendered his country more evident essential service, unless perchance he
was rivaled by Anthony Van Corlear, of Knickerbocker memory. At times the
militia who were on foot, were obliged to take a dog trot to keep up with
the excited commander of cavalry.

First Person
Killed in Schoharie.-After proceeding five miles, as the troops were
passsing a swamp in Hartman's dorf, the prisoner David, watching an opportunity,
slipped the cord from his arm and ran into it. The party were halted, ordered
to surround the marsh, and shoot down the captive if he attempted to escape.
The mounted militia who knew the ground, led the cavalry round the swamp;
and the Indian being observed skulking from tree to tree, and just ready
to emerge in the direction of the river, was instantly brought down by a
pistol shot in the back, with the exclamation, "Ganno! ganno!"
The commanding officer, impatient at the delay, ordered one of the militia
men to advance and shoot him. He was then lying partly upon his side, his
head was resting upon his hand, and his elbow upon the ground, while his
eye calmy surveyed his foes. George Shell, of Foxescreek (who sometime after
bravely assisted in the defense of Major Becker's house), advanced from
the ranks, presented his old fire-lock and attempted to fire. Click, click,
click, said the old rusty lock-while its antiquated cylinder remained silent.
"Tam te Meleshee guns!" exclaimed the officer; as, riding
forward, he snapped one of his own pistols, which missed fire, and ordered
his troopers to shoot him. A pistol snapped by the man next the captain
also missed fire, but that in the hand of his follower exploded sending
a bullet through the Indian's head. As those pistols were snapped, the Indian
turned round to avoid seeing them. He was left in his gore, and the party
resumed their march. This Indian was the first person killei in the Schoharie
settlements in the Revolution; and I have been thus particular in detailing
the circumstances attending his death, because the manner of it as related
in the Life of Brant, where he is misnamed Peter Nickus, is so very
far from the truth as stated by eye witnesses; Jacob Becker, Jacob Enders
and George Warner, militia men present.

David Ogeonda,
although a notorious offender, would not have been slain had he not attempted
to escape while a prisoner. The story of his having been " inhumanly
hacked to pieces " by the cavalry, is not true. It is a well
known characteristic of the Indian, that whoever doea an injury to one of
his blood, incurs his hatred and revenge. This same Indian had several sons,
who, knowing all the circumstances attending their father's death, not only
remained friendly to the American cause, but Yon, probably the oldest, rendered
the citizens of Schoharie no little service during the war.

On arriving
at the Stone House, a ladder was raised against the wing, and the prisoners
taken at Mann's were compelled to mount upon the roof, which was not very
steep, when the ladder was removed, and they were placed in temporary and
somewhat novel confinement. A squaw among them, is said to have rendered
the situation of a prisoner, named Weaver, so uncomfortable, that he requested
Jacob Enders to remove her.

A Strange
Messenger.-The parly had been at Middleburgh but a short time, when
a woman by the name of Staats, known in the valley by the unpoetic cognomen
of Rya's Pup-called - also the She Bear, a tall, large, masculine
creature, and a rara avis of the valley-was seen approaching tlie
Stone House in the direction of the river, nearly half a mile distant. She
halted soon after being discovered as if hesitating about advancing, when
the officer of cavalry beckoned to her to come forward; upon which she faced
about and ran the other way. Two troopers were sent in pursuit, and captured
her wliile fording the river; and each seizing a hand they turned their
horses and rode back to the house, to the great amusement of its inmates,
and discomfiture of the prisoner, who was almost-out of breath. After panting
a wliile, she was enabled to answer the interrogatories of the American
officers. She said she had just come from the camp of McDonald; that his
numbers were very great, and that he was preparing to march down and capture
the Stone House and its inmates.-George Warner, Jacob Enders and Miss
Sally Hotchkiss, a grand daughter of Col. John Harper.

Battle at
the Flockey.-On receiving this information, the troops were sent to
collect several fences to aid in throwing up a temporary breastwork around
the house, that they might the better repel an attack. After waiting some
time, however, for the enemy, it was thought advisable by the Americans,
now respectable in numbers, to proceed to meet him. On arriving near Swart's
place, two miles distant from the Stone House, it was ascertained that the
foes were on the retreat up the valley; and it was only by a rapid movement
of the mounted troops that they were overtaken at the Flockey.* At this
place Adam Crysler resided before the war-the residence of the late Samuel
Lawyer. The house, which is situated at the upper end of Vrooman's land,
is pleasantly located upon a bank which slopes to the road. A brook runs
at the base of the bank near the road, between which and the river was formerly
a small swamp. As the Americans drew near, they found McDonald had made
a stand on the lawn in front of the house, prepared to give them a warm
reception. A few shots only were exchanged, when the cavalry, at a long
and terrifying blast of the trumpet, dashed impetuously among the Indians
and tories ; who, panic struck, fled up the river. They were pursued but
a short distance as the ground above was unfavorable for cavalry ; besides,
it was nearly dark, and the latter were much fatigued, having rode about
forty-five miles since the evening before. David Wirt, lieutenant of the
cavalry, was killed in this encounter, and two privates wounded, one Rose,
mortally-who died three days after. Angelica, a daughter of Col. Vrooman,
assured the writer in 1837, that she furnished the winding sheet for Lieut.
Wirt, who was the first man that fell in Schoharie defending the principles
of a free government. Wirt was shot, as was afterwards learned, by one
Shafer, a royalist. What loss the enemy sustained in this brush is unknown;
few chose to stay long enough to be killed. The cavalry returned to the
Stone House and encamped for the night. As it was then supposed that Madam
Staats. had been sent down by McDonald to afford him an opportunity to escape,
she was sought for on the return of the Americans, but had " stept
out."-Mattice Ball, Jacob Van Dyck and others.

Since the above
was published, I have learned the fact that the horse of Lieut. Wirt, after
its rider fell, wounded and frightened, ran back half a mile toward Middleburgh,
to the well of Isaac Vrooman, drank freely from a watering trough, and died
there. This well is now covered up. At an early period the road ran near
the centre of the flats, with woods where the road is now situated.

* The name
for this spot as known among the old inhabitants, and signified a swamp,
or ground near one.

The enemy retreated
up the river through Brakabeen, and by way of the Susquehanna laid their
course for Niagara. Judge Hager states, that upwards of twenty male citizens
went off from Vrooman's land, Brakabeen, and Clyberg (Clay hill), with the
enemy; among whom were Adam Crysler, Joseph Brown, several of the Boucks,
Beckers, Keysers, Mattices, Freemires, William Zimmer, one of the Schoharie
committee, one Shafer and one Kneiskern. He added, that while the enemy
remained in Schoharie, they doubtless lived well, as they were in, a
land of plenty.

On the return
of the light horse, as nothing appeared to criminate the father of Capt.
Mann, who was inoffensive and considerably advanced in life, he was suffered
to remain at liberty-and as the title to the brick house and valuable farm
adjoining, is said to have been vested in him and not his son, it was never
confiscated to the republic.

The Concealment
of Capt. Mann, who Became a Prisoner.- Not long after the cavalry and
militia had proceeded up the valley, Capt. Mann came down from his hiding
place, crossed the river below the mouth of Foxescreek, and secreted himself
under the Karighondontee mountain, at a place where a small stream of water
has cut a ravine. The next day, David Warner, the lad before mentioned,
and John Snyder, with a basket of food, went in pursuit of him. They crossed
the river and followed up the ravine before named, just above which, seated
in a cavity of the rock, they found the object of search, smoking a, pipe
and fasting; with an apology for a fire, a few brands smoldering in the
recess. Mann had very wisely taken with him from home a tinder box and matches,
as the chosen place of secretion was infested by rattle snakes ; and it
being usually damp, was a cold place at night even in midsummer. The little
nook in which Mann was found by his friends, is a familiar one to geologists,
who have been there to obtain strontian, especially if they ever
chanced to be there, as the writer once did, in a very heavy shower. The
ravine alluded to, affords the geologist some of the most beautiful deposits
of fossil moss found in Schoharie county.

When Capt.
Mann heard his friends approaching, his fearful apprehension was aroused,
but on hearing their familiar voices calling him by name, he readily discovered
himself. From his mountain retreat, he shortly after went to Kneiskern's
dorf, several miles further down tlie river, where he was concealed by friends
until fall; at which time, he surrendered himself to the military authority
established in the valley, by which he was transfered to Albany for trial.
The following paper will show the time when Capt. Mann became a prisoner.

" SCHOHARIE,
Dec. 8th, 1777.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE;-We have taken it upon us to let George Mann
come in, by a sufficient bail-bond, which we thought he could not get ;
but since he did, we would not affront the people, and took it ; and if
you think it not sufficient, let me know it, for I am ready now to act against
the tories to the utmost point which is in my power, if the other committee
are willing to join: if not, I will no longer be a committee man.

" Gentlemen,
I beg one favor of you, which is, to give me intelligence in what form we
are to act with the tories now: so no more at present."
I remain, sirs,
" Your friend and well wisher,
"JOHANNES BALL."

Capt. Mann
Becomes a Good Citizen.-Owing to the influence and respectability of
his whig relatives and neighbors, Mann's trial was kept off until the war
closed-when, a very liberal policy having been adopted toward those who
had committed no very flagrant act, he was set at liberty, and returned
home to the bosom of his family and the quiet possession of his property.
From the fact that he surrendered himself a prisoner, instead of trying
to flee to Canada, there can remain no doubt but that his views had undergone
a change in regard to what course he should from the beginning have adopted.
He had early been warmly solicited by the friends of royalty, and the most
flattering inducements, to advance their cause. But a life of repentance
showed his error in judgment to have been of the head and not the heart-while
his firm and willing support ever after of the newly established order of
things fully atoned for his single offense.

From an acquaintance
with the descendants and other relatives of Capt. George Mann, I express
an opinion without fear of contradiction, that they are as patriotic and
consistent supporters of the federal constitution, as an equal number of
men in any part of the American union.

The command
of Capt. Mann's company, after his disaffection and disappearance, -was
given to his lieutenant, Christian Stubrach.

Some individuals
in the Sohoharie settlements "who had been persuaded to accept of "kingly
protection under McDonald, when the prospects of the colonies looked to
them most gloomy, soon after his defeat and hasty flight, found means, in
the confusion that ensued, to return home and become the supporters of the
federal compact, while others followed his fortunes to Canada to wait the
speedy triumph of the British arms, when they expected to return and enjoy
not only their own, but the confiscated property of their whig neighbors.

Letters from
Colonels Harper and Vrooman, dated August 20, 1777, were received by the
Coucil of Safety, as appears by the journal of that body, and transmitted
on the 29th to his Excellency, the Governor, recommending him to provide
500 troops-100 of whom to be riflemen-to protect the frontiers of Albany
and Tryon counties : and under the date of August 30th, I found entered
upon the council's journal, the following letter:

"SCHOHARIE,
August 28th, 1777.

" GENTLEMEN-Since
we put Capt. McDonald and his army to flight, I proceeded with some volunteers
to Harpersfield, where we met many that had been forced by McDonald, and
some of them much abused. Many others were in the woods, who were volunteers;
and as we could not get hands on those that were active in the matter, I
gave orders to all to make their appearance, when called on, at Schoharie,
in order to give satisfaction to the authority for what they have done;
and if they do not, that they are to be proclaimed traitors to the United
States of America ; which they readily agreed to, and further declare that
they will use their best endeavors to bring in those that have been the
cause of the present disturbance. I would, therefore beg the honorable Council
of Safety, that they would appoint proper persons to try those people, as
there will be many that can witness to the proceedings of our enemy, and
are not in ability to go abroad.
" From your most obedient, humble servant,
" JOHN HARPER, Colo.
"P. S. The people here are so confused that they do not know how to
proceed. I therefore would beg the favor of your honorable body to appoint
such men as are strangers in these parts.

" To the
honorable, the Council of Safety, at Kingston." The above letter was
referred to a committee who reported on the same, September 1st, and the
council ordered the following letter written to Col. Harper in reply, under
that date:

" SIR-Your
favor of the 28th of August last, was received and communicated to the council.
They congratulate you on the success of our arms in that quarter, which
must be doubly grateful to the above inhabitants of Tryon county, whose
virtuous exertions have so greatly contributed to it.

" The
trial and punishment of those inhuman wretches who have combined with a
savage foe to imbrue their hands in the blood of the innocent, demands a
speedy attention. But while the council agree with you in the impropriety
of removing them to any distance from the witnesses of their guilt, they
can not consent, nor indeed are they empowered to institute any new court
for the trial of such offences. These wicked parricides, however detestable,
are nevertheless, by our free constitution, entitled to the inestimable
privilege of a trial by their peers. A court of oyer and terminer will be
held in your county (Albany county meant-Col. Harper was then a resident
of Tryon county) as soon as the present storm hath a little subsided. In
the mean time the public officers of the county will exert themselves to
detect, apprehend and secure the rebels.

" You
will be pleased to communicate this letter to the committee of Schoharie,
and to such other persons as may be concerned in it."

Sequestration.-The
following letter directed to "The Commissioners for Sequestrings
for Tryon County" and found among the papers of Col. Visscher,
one of those commissioners, was from a member of the New York-Council of
Safety.

KINGSTON, 31st,
August, 1777.
" GENT.-The enclosed resolution was thought necessary, that you may
have it in your power to remove the women and children to such place (if
even it should be to the enemy) as you, with Gen. Gates, may think proper.
Should you want anything farther, you will please to let the House know.
I wish you health and spirits in those trying times-which we will all get
over; and that it may be soon, is the prayer of,
Gent, your most hum'e serv't.
"ABM. YATES, Jr."

(The resolution
above alluded to)-" Resolved, That the commissioners for sequestrating
the effects of persons gone over to, or who are with the enemy, be directed
immediately to seize the effects of all such of the inhabitants of the counties
oof Albany and Tryon, as are gone over unto and joined the enemy, and to
dispose thereof, agreeably to the resolutions in that case made and provided.
That the said commissioners be empowered to remove the wives and children
of such disaffected persons aforesaid from their habitations, to such place
or places as they shall conceive best for the security of the State. That
the said commissioners, if Gen. Gates shall think it advisable, be empowered
to send all or any part of the said women and children to their said husbands."

An Order to
Remove Tory Families.-Zepheniah Batchelor, Esq., an acting Justice of the
Peace at Johnstown during the greater part of the war ; executed an order
for the removal of a large number of the families of royalists in the settlements
around that place at one period of the war, the husbands and heads of which
families were then in Canada, in the enemy's service. I have one of his
orders for such removal, with the number and ages of children in each. The
order was commissioned at an inclement season of the year, and at a later
period of the contest. It is amusing to read the constable's memoranda of
service, accompanying the names, with the reasons some of the wives gave
for non-compliance. Many said they were too poor and could not go so far,
while others said "they would not stir a step," as their husbands
had illy used them. If a man had been in the habit of abusing his wife,
it would seem to be a good reason why a decent woman should not go far on
his trail. Not a few of those families are still represented there; some
of those husbands returning after the war, while others never returned.

The reader
is ready to ask, why such a seemingly unfeeling requisition? There had also
been a resolve that no intercourse or fellowship should be kept up between
whig and tory families; and the consequence was, that where the latter lived
in isolated or secluded places, the enemy would come down and there find
a place of rest, hold an espionage upon the action of the patriots; not
unfrequently, on such occasions, taking back to Canada the scalps of former
neighbors. Nor was this all; many such families were poor and had to be
fed by the very men the heads of those families were seeking to destroy.
Their sympathy was often rewarded like that of the hunter, who took the
frozen snake into his hut and warmed it into life only to be bitten by it.

Prisoners
from Schoharie.-On the Council's journal under date of September 5th,
I find the following entry:

" The
committee, to whom was referred the petition of William Camerou and the
other six prisoners brought by Maj. Wynkoop's party from Schoharie, delivered
in their report, which was read, amended and agreed to, and is in the words
following, to wit: ' That it appears from the said petition of William Cameron
and the six prisoners brought with him as aforesaid, that they have, contrary
to the resolutions of this State, aided and assisted the enemies thereof,
by taking up arms against it, and therefore that they be confined in irons
in one of the jail rooms at Kingston.'"

Remarks
of Domine Gros.-The above refers to prisoners captured by the cavalry
which accompanied Col. Harper to Schoharie. In alluding to this transaction,
the Rev. John Daniel Gros, in a work on Moral Philosophy, published about
the year 1806, thus observes :

"Neither
must it be forgotten that Lieut. Wallace, Wm. Wills and John Harper, who
at that time of general distress on our western frontiers, when two hundred
royalists and Indians had advanced into the heart of Schoharie, where treachery,
assisted by the panic with which the inhabitants had been struck, had almost
accomplished a total defection among them, with forty men, collected in
a strong brick house (stone house), braved the enemy hindered the defection
from taking the intended effect; and afforded time for succor, by which
the whole design of the enemy was defeated, and a valuable part of the frontier
preserved." *

On the 13th
of August, the same day on which Col. Harper so opportunely led troops to
Schoharie, Lt. Col. Schemerhorn proceeded to Norman's kill with a body of
Schenectada militia, and forty Rhode Island troops-in all about one hundred
men --to root up a tory gathering at that place. The expedition was very
successful; David Springer, a noted royalist, was killed, thirteen of his
comrades captured, the remainder dis-persed, and confidence again restored,
where all waa doubt and odisaffection, without the loss of a single man
on the part of the Americans.-John J. Schemerhorn, son of Col. S. named
in the context.

Not to Sell
to disaffected.-In the fall of this year the following resolution was
made public:

" ADVERTISEMENT-This
is to give notice to all persons, that the Committee of Schoharie has Resolved
that nobody shall sell any thing to disaffected persons, and especially
to such persons as buy and send it to the Scotch Settlements [on the Charlotte
and Susquehanna rivers;] and if any person does it, we shall seize it.
" By order of the committee,
JOHANNES BALL, Ch'n.
" SCHOHARIE, Nov. -24th, 1777."

Flour for
the Army.-The citizens of Schoharie were engaged in the fall in transporting
provisions to the army under Gen. Gates, as the following will show:
" HALF MOON, 18th Oct. 1777.
" Received of Jacob Cuyler, Esq., D. C. G. of P., (deputy commissary
general of provisions) sixty-six barrels and two tierces of flour, containing
131c. 3qr. 8lb.-tare 1471, in seventeen wagons, which I promise to deliver
to Dirk Swart, D. B. of P., at Stillwater, having signed two receipts of
the same tenor and date.
JOHANNES BALL."* It camot now be known whether Domlne Gros meant to name
Lient. Wallace as in command of the cavalry corps or not. Either his Wallace
or his Wills, was the man, no doubt, who, on the spot, was called Wirt.
Newspapers were few at that time, and names of actors on the frontiers seldom
found their way into printed reports.

About twenty
of Mr. Ball's neighbors were engaged, with their teams in conveying the
flour mentioned, as appears by another certificate in possession of the
writer.

A Reward
for Good Deeds.-The following anecdote will serve to show the patriotism
of the late patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer. When the troops under Gen.
Gates were opposing Burgoyne near Saratoga, Gen. Ten Broeck, who was the
guardian of the patroon, then in his minority, visited some of his nephew's
tenants near the Helleberg, and requested them to take all the provisions
and grain they could spare, reserving a bare competency for their families,
to the American army. Several emptied their granaries, pork-barrels, cattle-stalls
and pig-styes, and delivered their effects to the commissary department
at Saratoga; not expecting any unusual reward for so doing. Some time after,
to their surprise, the young patroon invited those tenants to Albany and
presented them with valid titles to their lands. Such was one of the many
acts of that good man, distinguished through life for his generosity and
benevolence.*

Provisions
for Fort Dayton.-Here are two receipts for cash for army stores, delivered
by Maj, Jelles Fonda, of Caughnawaga-a commissary in the Mohawk valley-at
Fort Dayton, about a month before the Oriskany battle. They are in the hand
writing of Maj. Fonda. There are many similar ones extant.

GERMAN FLATS,
1777, June 5th.
" Rec'd of Jelles Fonda the sum of ten pounds, nine shillings, in full
for 8c. 2qr. 15lb. flour, and riding the same two miles (at the carrying
place around the falls), for public use.

"AUGUSTINUS
HESS."
"Rec'd German Flats, 1777, June, 5th day, of Jelles Fonda, the sum
of two pounds, twelve shillings, in full for twenty-six schep'l (skipple,
a German measure, equaling three pecks) potatoes.
" JOHN JOST HAKCHYMARE.Bennington.-When news first reached Schoharie that the

*
Frederick Vogel, to whom the facts were communicated arter the war, by Frederick
Crounse, one of the tenants alluded to in the context.

British had
been defeated at Bennington, the tories believed it a falsehood, told to
excite their fear.

In the Revolution,
that part of Sharon contained in the town of Seward, was called New Dorlach.
It was a settlement of twenty-five or thirty families, only four of which,
those of Jacob Hynds, William Hynds, Bastian France and William Spurnheyer
-were active whigs. An old man named Hoffman, who took no part on either
side, was, with his whig neighbors, made an object of savage cupidity. When
St. Leger was beseiging Fort Schuyler, about thirty individuals went from
this settlement and united with his forces. When the seige was raised, they
would gladly have returned to their homes, but were compelled to go to Canada;
only two came back at that time, and they deserted in the night.-Henry
France, son of Bastian France.

Col. John
Harper and his Oquago Prisoners.-Campbell in his Annals, gives a romantic
story of Col. Harper's surprising and binding a party of Indians, man for
man. The old veteran, Nicholas Warner, at our interview, pronounced the
story very emphatically untrue; since, in all his intimacy with him, during
and after the war, he had never heard the story until it appeared in that
book, which was so related as to make it incredible. In 1847, I learned
from the Hotchkiss family of Harpersfield, who were grandchildren of Col.
Harper, and of Col.Wm. Harper, then 80 years old, and who was a stepson
of Col. John Harper, a true version of this story. The mother of this Wm.
Harper was before marriage, Miss Isabel, a daughter of Robert McKnight,
of Tyrone, Ireland. Her first husband, was Joseph Harper, a cousin of Col.
John, her second, who resided at Cherry Valley before the war, and probably
died there. Not only Warner, but other compatriots of his, failed to recognize
the narrative as an event of their time. No given number of men could overpower
and bind an equal number of strong men in such a manner as was made to appear
in Campbell's narrative. I found with the Hotchkiss family, a record of
the Harper family, and learned from the two branches of the family, not
a few interesting facts. But here is the story.

Not long after
the interview between Gen. Herkimer and Brant, at Unadilla, and before the
inhabitants had abandoned the settlement, Col. John Harper, in a citizen's
dress, left his home on horseback to go to Cherry Valley, then a neighboring
village, though many miles distant. At this time a Johnston family, and
many others of whig proclivities, were residing at Sidney, at the junction
of the Unadilla and Susquehanna rivers. As Harper neared the Schenevas creek,
in the present town of Decatur, he saw a party of ten Indians approaching,
and as he could not well avoid it, he confidently met them. The printed
account states that his regimentals were concealed by an overcoat; but he
would hardly be clad in a military suit traveling alone in the wilderness,
where he might reasonably look for a foe. He at once recognized the leader
of the party, as Peter, an Oquago chieftain. He met them in a friendly manner,
calling them brothers, and they, supposing him to be a King's man, were
thrown off their guard, and the colonel drew from them the fact, that they
were on a secret expedition to destroy the Sidney settlement, and also their
intended resting place for the night, a mile or two above the mouth of the
Schenevas. Shaking hands with the party, he bade them good-bye.

As soon as
he had passed out of their sight, by a detour he hastily returned, secured
three men on the Charlotte river, named Bartholomew, and at Harpersfeld,
that of his brothers Joseph and Alexander, and other settlers in that neighborhood,
until his party was 18 strong. Well armed, and with ropes with which to
bind the foemen, they set forward, and before reaching the place sought,
the enemy's camp-fire betrayed its locality. They fortunately reached the
Indian's camp just before daylight, found them all asleep, secured their
arms, and then with eight of their nnmber standing ready with guns at their
shoulders to enforce obedience; a man with a rope approached each of the
sleepers, and the colonel taking his stand beside the leader, broke the
silence of the circle by shouting in his ear: "Peter! it is time
for business men to be up!" The party all started to their feet,
but finding their own arms had been secured, and so many rifles were ready
to shoot down the first one who should attempt to escape, they all submitted
to be bound without any struggle, and were soon on their march as prisoners,
toward Albany. They were taken to Cherry Valley, and from thence, were delivered
by Col. Harper, to the authorities of Albany. Soon after daylight, Peter
recognized his captor, and exclaimed: "Ah! Col. Harper, why me notknow
you yesterday? " "There is policy in -war, Peter." "
O yes, me find em so now."

The account
of this affair as published by Mr. Campbell and accredited to the Rev. Mr.
fenn, stated the number of the Indians at 15, and their captors at 15, who
each bound his man " after a most severe struggle ;" but Col.
Wm. Harper, ten years old when the event transpired, gave the number of
Indiana aa ten, and Harper's party 18, which makes the story still a good
one as -well as plausible and truthful. The Johnston settlement, in the
Old England District of Tryon county thus fortunately saved, consisted of
a few scotch adventurers, supposed to have been whigs. Outnumbering them
as he did, Col. Harper had it in his power to have destroyed every man of
this Indian party, but the white man's was not the red man's mode of warfare.
Those are believed to have been the first Indian captives made in our Revolutionary
contest.

Nicholas
Warner Shoots an Indian.-Here is an adventure of Nicholas Warner, of
Cobleskill, told the writer in 1847, by Calvin Covel, of Stamford, N. Y.,
who said he had it from the lips of Mr. Warner. The latter was cutting wheat
on his farm with a scythe, in what year is not known, but probably it was
early in the war. When he commenced, he left his rifle and canteen of water
at a stump, a little distance from which was a log fence. He mowed out some
distace from the stump and back to it, and as he did so, his keen eye detected
some object between the logs of the fence, which he believed to be the body
of an Indian. Raising his canteen to his mouth with his eye still fixed
upon the fence, he saw the head of an Indian peer over it and again disappear.
As soon as the Indian resumed his former position, Warner lifted his rifle
and with his wonted precision, sent a bullet between the logs and crashing
through the first object that had arrested his attention. Not knowing but
other foes were near by, he made a hasty flight down the valley to a place
of security. Going there the next day with a party of friends, the Indian
lay behind the fence dead, while his rifle and its ammunition became a lawful
prey to the vigilant husbandman.

The Harper
Family.-As this was one of the most conspicuous and active in the partisan
warfare of western New York in the Revolution, and one of the earliest to
locate in Delaware county; as I have it at hand, perhaps I should give its
geneology and some of its vicissitudes in a wilderness home; since that
will prove a mirror in many respects to other pioneer homes.

James Harper,
the paternal ancestor of this family, came to this country from Kerry county,
Ireland, and landed at Casco Bay, in New England, in October, 1720. He married
Jennett Lewis, in the land of his nativity, by whom he had five chidren,
Anne, Joseph, William, Sarah and John; the last named was born in 1705.
Anne married James Miller in Ireland; Joseph married Marran Thompson; William
died in America, unmarried; Sarah married John Montgomery, and John married
Abigail Montgomery. Soon after they arrived at Casco, an Indian war broke
out, and the family, except John, removed to Boston; but he remained three
years and eight months, to aid in defence of the country. When discharged
from military service, he removed to Hopkinton, Mass., where he married
Miss Montgomery, as stated. The bridal knot was tied by Rev. Samuel Barrett,
Nov. 8, 1728. Mr. Barrett was pastor of the first church gathered in Hopkinton,
30 miles south of Boston, and was ordained in 1724.

Soon after
his marriage, John Harper, from which branch of James Harper's family sprang
the settlers of Harpersfield, went to reside at Nordell's Island, near Boston,
where his son William was born, Sept. 14, 1729, and was baptized by Rev.
Mr. Clarke. After a short residence at this place, Mr. Harper removed to
Boston, where the following children were born: James, March 26, 1731; Mary,
Jan. 23, 1733; John, May 31, 1734; Margaret, a child that died in her second
year, time of birth and death unknown; and Margaret, born Feb. 7, 1740.
These children were all baptized by Rev. John Morehead. From Boston, John
Harper removed to Middletown, Ct., in 1741. At the latter place he had three
children: Joseph, born Feb. 1, 1742; Alexander, date of birth-unknown; and
Abigail, July -, 1745. All three were baptized by Rev. William Russell.
In 1747 this Harper family removed to Windsor, Ct., where Mirriam, a fifth
daughter, was born, and was baptized by Rev. Timothy Edwards. In October,
1754, the family removed from Windsor to Cherry Valley, then Albany Co.,
N. Y. James Harper died of small-pox, at Cherry Valley, March 22, 1760 ;
and Abigail, his mother, died of consumption at that place. Dec. 28, 1767,
in her 59th year.

Dec. 8, 1769,
John Harper, Sr., with his four sons, John, Joseph, William and Alexander,
Joseph Harper, Jr., and James Harper, with Andries Rebar, William Galt,
Thomas Henry, John Wells, Robert Campbell, James Scott, John Wells, Jr.,
John Thompson, Robert Thompson, John Thompson, Jr., James Moore, Robert
Wells, Timothy McIlvaine, John Rebar and Johannes Walrad, took a patent
for 22,000 acres of land in the present county of Delaware. It comprises
the township of Harpersfield, and was originally divided into 220 lots of
1,000 acres each. John, who was perhaps the most enterprising of the Harper
brothers, went to Harpersfield-so called after him -in July, 1771, with
a party of surveyors, and having determined on a permanent settlement, his
wife accompanied him to his wilderness tent, with a child only a few months
old. She is said to have been the first white woman who set her foot in
Harpersfield. Her maiden name, as stated, was Mirriam Thompson, a daughter
of James and Janet Thompson, of East Windsor, Ct. In the absence of her
husband she selected a site for a dwelling, and a rain storm coming on to
interrupt the labor of the surveyors, she got them to erect a log house.
It was a small pioneer wigwam, and was located in what is now an apple orchard,
on the west side of the road near a brook, and just below the present burying
ground-perhaps half a mile southerly from the village church.

John Harper,
Jr., who received a Colonel's commission at the beginning of the Revolution,
and whom I shall hereafter call Colonel, had framed and nearly completed
a dwelling at the time the hirelings of Britain commenced depredations on
the frontiers of New York. It stood upon the site of the house since occupied
by Jacob Foote. He also built a small grist-mill on the stream known as
Harpersfield creek. In the course of two or three years, several other families
located in Colonel Harper's vicinity. His brother Alexander, afterwards
a Colonel, married Elizabeth Bartholomew, a daughter of an early settler
on Charlotte river, and went into the settlement not long after his brother,
erecting a small stone house just back of the church site. Other families
kept coming in, so that at the outbreak of hostilities a thriving settlement
had begun. Among the earliest adventurers here, were the Thomas, Lamb and
Patchin families; all in a circuit of a couple of miles. David S. Patchin,
a descendant of the latter family, was residing, in 1847, where his ancestors
located; and on this place, at the close of the Revolution, Gen. Freegift
Patchin erected a small tannery, the first in the township. Stoddard Stevens,
Esq., kept a public house on this Patchin place, in 1847 ; on the turnpike,
two miles eastward of " The Centre." The Thomas Henry family settled
on what was known subsequently as the Hoaglan place. Not long after Col.
Harper settled at Harpersfield, this Henry family removed thither from Cherry
Valley. William Harper, who was a man of prominence in the war, married
Miss Margaret Williams of Albany, April 13, 1760. Rev. J. Ogilvie performed
the ceremony. Joseph Harper, subsequent to the war, married Catharine, a
daughter of James Douglas of Harpersfield. He was wounded in the Mohawk
valley, and drew a pension after the war. Soon after Col. Harper located
in Harpersfield, his father removed thither with the members of his family
still remaining with him, and died there April 20, 1786, aged nearly 80
years.

A Providential
Sleigh Ride.-The settlers of this isolated place, before Col. Harper
erected his mill, had to go to Breakabeen, in the Schoharie valley, for
their milling; most of the way by an Indian footpath. The first or second
winter of Col. Harper's forest life, the following incident occurred: The
snow was deep, the weather piercing cold, and the family were out of provisions.
Mrs. Harper had baked the last of her flour, which made but a small loaf;
a scanty meal for so many, but it must, as she believed, serve the family
for several days. On entering his dwelling, the Colonel found his children
crying and his wife in tears. His sensibilities were severely tested, on
being told that his children were "crying for bread." The little
loaf, agreeably to his orders, was instantly distributed. Said the Colonel
to his distressed wife : " Cheer up! for Providence will provide food
when this is gone." He had intended, early the next morning, to start
for the nearest Schoharie settlement, on snow shoes, and return as soon
as possible with food. Reader, judge the surprise of the family, if you
can, when, a few hours after the last morsel of food had been consumed,
two sleighs reined up at the door.

The weather
having been severe for some time, the people of Brakabeen, possibly with
a forecast that the Harpers must look for food in that direction, came to
the conclusion that the people in the Bush must suffer. Accordingly, on
such premises, two sleighs, that they might take turns in breaking a path,
were partially laden with provisions and driven into the wilderness. Two
neighbors, Hager and Becker, thus opportunely drove to Col. Harper's door.
It was too near night to think of recroasing the Jefferson hills until morning,
and those "friends in need" were comfortably housed, and the social
evening told them how much better it was " to give than to receive."
As the reader may well imagine, this timely arrival of food did not lessen
the confidence of Col. Harper in Him who feeds the ravens when they cry.

Harpersfield,
How Saved From Vandalism.-"Nearly all of the Harpersfield settlers
took up arms for their country, and foremost among them were the Harper
family, the most conspicuous of which was Col. John Harper.

On the 17th
of July, 1777, the New York Council of Safety resolved, as before hinted,
to raise two companies of rangers for the counties of Tryon, Ulster and
Albany, one oE which was to be commanded by Col. Harper; and among a series
of accompanying resolutions was the following: " Resolved, That
Col. Harper be cautious of making any attack upon the savages, or pursuing
any measure that may bring on an Indian war, unless absolutely necessary
for the defense of the inhabitants, and rendered unavoidable by previous
hostilities committed on their part." Thus we see, to the very last,
the State authorities tried to avoid a collision with the Indians, who were
already in alliance with Britain, and had, in fact commenced their predatory
warfare.

How the
Harpersfield Settlers Escaped Death, or Captivity.- Very soon after
Col. Harper captured the party of Oquago Indians on their way to the Johnston
settlement; the enemy under Capt. McDonald on its way to the Schoharie settlements,
visited Harpersfield, and intended to capture or destroy Col. Harper and
his whig neighbors. On account of a severe rain storm, the destructives
halted a few miles distant, intending to move forward in the morning. Toward
night a friendly Oneida Indian stole away from the enemy's camp, on the
plea of hunting, entered the doomed settlement and gave timely warning,
by which they all escaped, hastily abandoning their homes and most of their
effects to the incendiary torch. Mrs. Harper, and the smallest of her seven
children, were placed upon two horses, and the Colonel with his larger children-the
oldest son Archibald, 13 years old-on foot leading the horses-with the rest
of the settlers, hurried off in the rain and dampness over the Jefferson
hills, to find a safe retreat at Middleburgh. Harpersfield was the next
morning effectually sacked and destroyed. The enemy killed an ox owned by
Col. Harper, burned his mill and set his house on fire at two diagonal corners,
which chanced to have cherry posts and the fire of itself went out, and
the house was not burned. Several Scotch families in the neighborhood went
with McDonald to Canada.

Col. John Harper's
wife died in the Mohawk valley, in 1778, and was buried in Cherry Valley:
after the war he married the widow of Joseph Harper, a cousin, as stated,
and again resided in Harpersfield. His first wife left at her death, three
sons, Archibald, James and John, and four daughters. Margaret, who married
Roswell Hotchkiss; Rebecca, who married Thomas Montgomery; Ruth, who married
Thomas Dunbar, and Mary Ann, who married Benjamin Morse. When married the
second time, his wife had seven children, and had two daughters, Abigal
and Sally, by this connection. Col. Harper and his last wife, were both
buried in Harpersfield; and of his three active brothers, William died in
Milford, Otsego county, and Joseph and Alexander, removed to Harpersfield
(so called after them), in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1798.* About the year
1850, the Hotchkiss family erected a nice monument some 15 feet high, bearing
the following inscriptions :

"Col.
John Harper born in Boston, Mass., May 31, 1734, died in Harpersfield, Nov.
20, 1811, ae 77 years. Col. Harper was a pioneer settler in the town that
now bears his mame, before the Revolutionary war, and the gallant leader
of a few patriotic spirits in defending the frontier settlers from their
savage foes."

On the opposite
side:

" As a
memorial of his piety and virtues, as a father and friend and his unfaltering
patriotism and bravery in times of

* The little
colony at this place suffered Incredible hardships for the want of food
the first winter, being at one lime on an allowance of six kernels of parched
corn for each person, For detailed account, see Howes' Historical Collections
of Ohio.

trial and peril,
his descendants have erected this monument.-

'
So sleep the brave who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes blest.'"

The same family
erected another monument with the following mementoes:

"In memory
of Hon. Roswell Hotchkiss, who died Dec. 28, 1845, in his 84th year."
He was born in Cheshire, Connecticut.

She was a daughter
of Col. Harper by his first wife, and was about 12 years old when her own
mother died.*

Col. Harper
had much to do in the war, with the handling of the Oneidas, who were in
the interest of the States, and they became greatly attached to him, and
were often his guests in Harpersfield after the war, where they were very
kindly treated. Indeed, so great was his regard for them, after they had
followed his leadership for years, that he could never bear to hear them
called savages.-Miss Sally Hotchkiss.

The Schoharie
Forts.-Three forts were erected in the Schoharie valley in the autumn
of 1777, the central being the first one built. It was known during the
Revolution as the Middle Fort, and stood on the farm long owned by Ralph
Manning, about half a mile east of north from the Middleburgh railroad depot.
It was constructed by the citizens and soldiers-the former drawing together
suitable timber, and the latter, with their aid, giving it a proper place.
The two story stone dwelling, owned and occupied by John Becker-the kitchen,
a one story wing of which is still standing-was inclosed within the pickets
of the fort.

The Upper Fort,
situated five miles west of south from the middle fort, was commenced in
the fall of 1777 and completed the summer following. The one story dwelling
of John Peek was there palisaded and stood in the upper end of Vrooman's
land, not far from Dr. Valentine Lawyer's. The dwelling was of wood, and
no trace of its position remains, as the land has long been cultivated where
the building stood. The plow at times discloses relics of the war.

*Many of Col.
Harper's papers were lost June 13,18?8, when a whirlwind passed over a part
of Harperefield, and demolished the dwelling of Judge Hotchklas. A chest
of papers In an upper room were blown away, some of them being afterwards
picked up in the town of Summit some miles diatant. The hearth-stone in
one of the rooms was turned over, and yet the family all escaped with life.-Miss
Sally Hotchkiss.

Ancient
R. D. Church In Schoharie.This edifice, inclosed by palisades, became known in 1777
as the Lower Schoharie Fort. The bridge seen in the foreground was the one
over Foxes creek, which Col. Harper had to cross while on his way to Albany
for assistance. Not far from the base of the steeple now stands the monument
erected to the memory of David "Williams, one of Maj. Andre's captors.

Old Schoharie
Stone Church, Lower Fort, etc.-The Lower fort, situated six miles north
of the Middle fort, was begun and completed about the same time as was the
Upper fort. The stone church, still standing one mile north of the Court
House, was there inclosed within the pickets. The two latter forts were
built, as was the former, by the joint labor of citizens and soldiers. The
Middle fort was known as " head quarters " during the war, where
usually resided the principal commandant of all three, and at which place,
the business involving the welfare of the settlement, waa generally transacted.
This fort consisted of an inclosure by strong pickets of about half an acre
of ground, embracing the church, with block-houses in the southwest and
northeast corners mounting small cannon. Along the west side of the inclosure,
small huts were erected, of rough boards, for the summer residence of the
inhabitants in that part of the valley ; with a board roof sloping from.
near the top of the pickets toward the centre of the yard. Each family which
claimed the protection of the small garrison at this place, had each a rude
dwelling, in which were deposited their most valuable effects. Near the
northeast corner, or in that part of the inclosure toward the burying ground,
was a temporary tavern kept by Snyder, a former inn-keeper of that vicinity.
This old church edifice, shorn of its graceful steeple is still standing.
It was abandoned some years ago as a place of worship; after which it became
a State arsenal. When that was removed, the State gave it to the county
of Schoharie, on condition that it should be kept in good repair, which
obligation is strictly observed, and I hope will continue to be, until its
second centennial shall be celebrated in it, July 4, 1972, as its first
was in 1872, when Hon. S. L. Mayham delivered a very befitting oration in
the arsenal room of the old building.

Through the
perseverance of Dr. Knower of Schoharie, the remains of David Williams,
one of Andre's captors, have been buried near the edifice, shown above,
to be known hereafter as the Old Fort-and a befitting monument marks the
spot, erected at a cost of $2,000, by the munificence of the State.

The Middle
fort inclosed an area of ground rather larger than that picketed in at the
Lower fort, with block-houses in the northeast and southwest corners, where
cannon were mounted. The principal entrance was on the south side, and on
each side of the gate were arranged the soldiers' barracks. The pickets,
as at the fort below, were about a foot through, and rose some ten feet
from the ground; with loop-holes from which to fire on invaders. A brass
nine pound cannon was mounted on the southwest block-house, and an iron
one at the diagonal corner, each of which, as the block-houses projected,
commanded two sides of the inclosure; while along the eastern and western
sides were arranged huts for citizens, similar to those at the Lower fort.

The Upper fort
stood on the west side of the river, and as at those on its opposite side,
a fair plot of ground was inclosed. One side of this inclosure was picketed
in, while on its other sides a breastwork was thrown up of timbers and earth,
some eight or ten feet high, and sufficiently thick to admit of drawing
a wagon upon its top, with short pickets set in the outside timbers of the
breastwork. A ditch surrounded the part thus constructed. Military barracks
and small log huts were erected within the inclosure, to accommodate the
soldiers and citizens. Block houses and sentry boxes were built in the northwest
and southeast corners, each mounting a small cannon to guard its sides.
From its construction, this fortress, probably, better merited the name
of "fort" than either of the others.